The Great Southern Leading Apprentice title is going down to the wire with two meetings remaining

A cracking finish to the Great Southern Leading Apprentice title is set to play out at the final two meetings over the next fortnight.

Just three victories separate the top four apprentices in the region ahead of tomorrow’s meeting at Albany Racing Club before the final fixture is held on May 16.

Adding to the intriguing finish the leader of the apprentice premiership, Beaux Banovic-Edwards, will miss tomorrow’s racing at Percy Spencer Racecourse due to suspension.

Banovic-Edwards rode a winner at the Anzac meeting in Albany last month and sits at the top of the standings with 10 victories.

She was suspended for 12 days for careless riding at the meeting and will return to the saddle from May 12.

Madi Derrick took out the first-ever $100,000 Furphy Road To Jericho WA qualifier at the same meeting and is one win behind Banovic-Edwards.

Local apprentice Jessica Gray had a winner on April 26 as well to take her season tally to seven and level with Holly Watson.

Derrick will have a great opportunity to hit the front with six rides at tomorrow’s meeting, including three for in-form Albany trainer Roy Rogers.

Watson will link up with metro co-trainers Dan and Ben Pearce in two races tomorrow and has five engagements in total as she looks to rise up the standings.

Gray has two rides on the eight-race card that starts at 12.42pm.

A terrific battle in the Great Southern Jockeys’ Premiership will continue in the last two meetings as well.

Kyra Yuill and Chris Parnham share the lead on 13 wins for the combined Albany and Mt Barker season while Banovic-Edwards sits third overall.

Parnham will come to Albany for six rides tomorrow, continuing his strong association with Rogers, while Yuill is booked for four mounts.

Rogers will be out to extend his 17-win lead over rival local trainer Steve Wolfe in the trainers’ title with nine runners entered.

GREAT SOUTHERN PREMIERSHIPS

LEADING APPRENTICE

Beaux Banovic-Edwards — 10 wins

Madi Derrick — 9

Holly Watson — 7

Jessica Gray —7

Kristo Sardelic — 5

LEADING JOCKEY

Chris Parnham — 13 wins

Kyra Yuill — 13

Beaux Banovic-Edwards — 10

Madi Derrick — 9

William Pike — 8

LEADING TRAINER

Roy Rogers — 43 wins

Steve Wolfe — 26

Gerry Hughes — 5

Paul Hunter — 4

Helen Harding — 4