Pateman lines up jockey title

Albany-based rider Mitchell Pateman will look to end the local racing season with a bang as he chases his maiden Great Southern Racing Jockeys’ Premiership at Percy Spencer Racecourse tomorrow afternoon.

Pateman is one of four live hopes in the exciting finish to the jockeys’ title heading into the final meeting of the Great Southern season in Albany which will consist of an eight-race program.

Fellow hoop Brad Parnham and Pateman currently share the lead in the standings with 13 wins, but defending champion Shaun McGruddy and late swooper Ben Kennedy are hot on their heels with 12 wins apiece.

Pateman has a ride in all eight races tomorrow and said winning the jockeys’ premiership was the aim when he moved to Albany.

“Being down here all season makes it a goal to win the premiership,” he said.

“Hopefully I can ride a couple of winners and get over the line.

“I would imagine I probably have to win a couple to hold them off.”

The talented hoop and nephew of Albany trainer Paul Hunter listed Bella Blitz, Unperturbed and Quality Fair as his best winning chances, all of which come from the Hunter stable.

Quality Fair was a last-start winner, but runs into a hot line-up in the Amity Tavern Handicap (1230m) that includes Roy Rogers’ duo Long Knife and Potent Secret.

Pateman will also ride Torina Blue (race 1), Scenic Lord (race 3), Accrual (race 6), Cosmah Domination (race 7) and Universal King (race 8).

He rated Parnham as the one to beat given his book of rides.

Parnham partners up with smart sprinter Long Knife, who has won four races this season along with other strong chances Volksoan (race 7) and Candlelight Star (race 8).

He will also be aboard debutant Snitzerella (race 2), the Hunter-trained Presumptuous (race 1), I Done It (race 3) and Kronstadt (race 4) in his total of seven rides.

McGruddy’s seven rides include Boomshine (race 1), Drifting Past (race 2), Ancient Spell (race 3), Tiger Pete (race 5), My Names Bruce (race 6), War Ksar (race 7) and Two Eye See (race 8).

Kennedy has only five rides but his book includes red-hot sprinter Potent Secret, which has won his past two starts, and consistent mare Elite Flight in the Skyracing TV Provincial Championship Series Heat (1500m).

He also takes the mount on Kinjara (race 2), Starry Universe (race 7) and Chengdu (race 8).

Albany trainer Steve Wolfe appears set to wrap up another trainers’ premiership and stable apprentice Tayla Stone has a handy lead in the apprentice jockey title.