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By Brad Gray

Rachel King has only been riding in town on Saturdays for three weeks now but the apprentice hoop has won five races from 20 rides and is in demand from Sydney’s leading stables.

King, who is indentured to Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, has been called upon by the likes of Kris Lees, Chris Waller, Jason Coyle and John Thompson and King has another busy Saturday ahead of her at Randwick with eight rides highlighted by speedy fillies Lipizzan and Memes.

“It’s great to get support from a variety of trainers which makes it even better. I’m getting offered rides by some of the bigger trainers in Sydney so it’s going really well and hopefully it keeps going like that,” King said. “Obviously Gai and Adrian have been a huge support.”

“It’s just about getting that momentum up and extra confidence always helps. If people can see that you are riding winners in town, it gives you more opportunities as an apprentice to get your name out there. Especially this time of year with a lot of the big jockeys being away.”

King has only had one ride on Lipizzan and it resulted in a victory at Canterbury with the two-year-old daughter of Sebring subsequently beaten by smart youngster Champagne Cuddles.

“She ran well last start but was a little wayward. I don’t know whether that was because of the heavy track but I won on her the start before that so hopefully she can get back to that way of running. She’ll run a big race. She’s very competitive and a tough little horse,” King said.

King is also yet to taste defeat aboard Memes having ridden the Jason Coyle-trained filly in all three of her wins this campaign and the two kilo claimer has no fears out to 1200m.

“I don’t think it will be a problem. Early on she wanted to over race and do a few things wrong but she has progressed a lot this preparation and settles much better now. Last start she was able to sit off the leader and she’ll quite happily do that again,” King said.

“She is similar to Lipizzan in that she is very tough, very consistent and if she can hold her form she’ll be very completive again.”

Memes winning at Randwick for King last start

King’s other rides on the card include Wahng Wah, Danjeu, ex-Kiwi Sound Proposition and Mount Nebo who will be out to defend his Winter Dash title having won the race last year.

“Alan (Denham) is quite positive that the horse is in good form. He has been running in Listed races so back to this grade hopefully he can repeat what he did last year,” King said.

Check out the fields, form and replays for Randwick on Saturday