By Tony Megahey
It’s likely a productive day through value for the South African jockey contingent, particularly Keagan Latham at Nowra’s capacity Country TAB meeting on Tuesday.
Latham, Brandon Lerena and Heavelon Van Der Hoven have over a dozen rides throughout the seven-race program, Keagan with four prime mounts for profile stables, long-time ally Bjorn Baker, a recent five-race city winner, Joe Pride, Matthew Smith and John Thompson.
Importantly Latham, who has ridden on three continents, is on favoured form runners he has ridden previously, all drawn inside. Vital at the tight and turning Nowra.
Keagan with 68 wins this season including black type success with Eleven Eleven, opens with Pride’s Little Cointreau ($1.55 favourite on TAB) in the Vale Max Lamond Maiden 1400m.
“Joe has an opinion of this three-year-old, I’ve ridden him twice in harder events, nice ability, the upside in there, ready to breakthrough in the right race, I think,” Latham offered following barrier trials at Hawkesbury.
Smith’s Euphrates Dream ($3.80 fav) contests the HQ Insurance Class 2, 1000m and Baranof ($11) for John Thompson in the Lighthouse Plumbing Class 3, 1200m.
“Again, I’ve ridden Matthew’s mare in a trial, I’m told she’s highly strung but obviously good ability from Kembla and Muswellbrook placings harder races and she’ll be fitter.
“Nice ride this grade from an inside gate as she races on-speed.
“I rode Baranof first-up at Gosford, he had a good blow he’ll be fitter, he’s won second-up and wasn’t far away in a decent city race last prep and we’re drawn.”
Also, a “watch” on the Freedman’s debut runner Champ De Mars ($11) in the final race. Latham rode the filly for an unextended second in a recent barrier trial.
At present Nowra is a Good 4 in fine weather.
View the final fields with full form & race replays for Nowra here