By Tony Megahey
The rising strike rate of international apprentice Lewis German for the high profile Hayes and Dabernig stable, makes strong appeal for punters into Tuesday’s Wagga Wagga TAB meeting.
Lewis, a 20-year-old New Zealand expat, the son of former accomplished English jockey Paul German originally linked with Hayes and Dabernig to ride track work and was indentured as a professional in late 2017.
Also freelancing, Lewis rapidly reduced his allowance to 1.5kg riding 30 winners last season and 31 so far this season.
He has four rides on emerging youngsters from their Euroa based stable throughout eight races hosted by the historic Murrumbidgee Turf Club. The latest success for Lewis and the stable was on Pickup the Pieces at Kyneton, and Yulong Mercury at Mornington recently.
“Lewis has been with us for four years-riding really well, still improving and he’s on some nice chances for us throughout the day,” said Euroa Racing Manager Rayan Moore, who originally linked with the stable at their Angaston complex in 2006.
Major focus will be on regally bred three-year-old gelding Mutadaawel (Denman-Alqwah (IRL) in a XXXX Gold Maiden (1000m).
“He’s a ‘half’ to Faatinah our Group 2 winner here and winner of a high quality race in Dubai,” Moore enthused.
“He’s trialled up nicely from a spell, drawn the rails so we have got expectations this preparation.”
Also making strong appeal is Classic Choice in the Diageo Australia BM 58 (1200m).
The I Am Invincible three-year-old filly skipped maiden grade to break through in a tougher BM 58 at Benalla last month and then ran a creditable third at Wangaratta.
“That form invariably equates over the border. She is meeting the older horses but she’s in form, progressive and ideally drawn in the right race,” he said.
Whiskey Queen likely will start favourite again in an early maiden after she led and was run down late at $2.20 in a recent Cranbourne Maiden.
“She was beaten by a smart one, she’ll be on pace again from the good draw and highly competitive,” Moore said.
Billy Owen claims for the stable on Celebrity Reign in the Heat of the Rising Star (1400) who will be strongly fancied on the strength of a runaway win at $1.70 at Wangaratta last month. Owen also has winning prospects for rival stables in several other races.
All the fields, form and replays for Tuesday's Wagga meeting