By John Schell
Top jockey Aaron Bullock heads to Gunnedah on Tuesday where he has an enviable book of rides as he looks to hit the lead in the New South Wales jockeys’ premiership.
Bullock is in a neck-and-neck battle with Tyler Schiller and Ashley Morgan in his bid to be the leading rider in NSW, and he has six leading mounts awaiting at Gunnedah.
Bullock will start the day when Wanda River contests the H & M Refrigeration Maiden Plate (1300m) for trainer Sue Grills.
Wanda River is lightly raced with eight starts to his name, and has been placed in five of them.
First starter Smoke On The Water will line up in The Verdict Coffee Country Boosted Maiden Handicap (1000m) with Bullock in the saddle for James Dobie.
Smoke On The Water has had two trials leading into his debut for a second at Tamworth before winning the latest of them at Muswellbrook.
Outta De Lady will be Bullock’s ride in the Cool Blue Ice Country Boosted Benchmark 58 Handicap (1000m) for trainer Zach Hatch.
Outta De Lady has won two from 13 and followed a second at Tamworth two starts ago with a sixth at the same track last time out after leading.
The Paul Clisby prepared Rolled Gold will be Bullock’s ride in the Valley Fasteners Benchmark 58 Handicap (1600m).
Rolled Gold hit the line well two starts ago to score impressively at this track, then followed that up with a last start fifth at Muswellbrook when beaten just under two lengths.
Bullock will round out the day when he again links with Hatch on Rapid Ruby in the Ultra Fleet Class 2 Handicap (1300m).
Rapid Ruby was formerly trained by Donna Scott, and has had one run since joining the Hatch stabke, resulting in a second at Tamworth behind Mr Wallace.
Bullock was the leading rider in Australia by number of winners last season, and while he’s well behind the Western Australian-based William Pike this season, he has been riding in his usual good form.
Before Monday’s Muswellbrook meeting, Bullock had ridden winners in 10 of his past 50 rides.
View final fields with full form & race replays for Gunnedah here