Top apprentice Tom Prebble will get another big-race chance this Saturday when he partners Splash Back in the Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap at Flemington.
Trainer Grahame Begg has stuck with the 23-year-old after the pair combined for two recent wins, including a stunning Flemington victory over 1420m on June 21.
“I had a discussion with Sandy and, the fact is, he’s won her last two on her and he can ride 54 kilos,” Begg said.
“It’s pretty hard taking them off when they’ve won their last two… It’s a feather in his cap.”
Prebble claimed his first Black Type win in May aboard $61 outsider Title Fighter in the Listed Straight Six.
Splash Back heads the market for the $200,000 Aurie’s Star, which has drawn 13 nominations.
Likely rivals include Joyful Fortune, Marble Nine, Bossy Nic, Group 2 winner Lady In Pink, French raider Cote Atlantique, and King Of Roseau.
Begg said a small field and set weights made the race an ideal target for the in-form French-bred mare.