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By Frances O'Shea

It’s been a frustrating season for Wyong-based apprentice Anna Roper with injury seeing her sidelined for a number of months.

The 22-year-old was on the crest of a wave claiming the coveted Rising Star Series for apprentices earlier this year and going head-to-head in the NSW Apprentices' Premiership with Zac Lloyd and Braith Nock.

But she damaged her quad in April and had to watch as her dreams of taking out the premiership went out the window.

Anna Roper - has a full book of rides at Wyong. Image by Bradley Photographers

A determined Roper returned the saddle at Dubbo on June 19 and wasted no time posting a win on her return.

She has booted home three further winners in the ensuing three weeks and is keen to add to this tally with a full book of rides on her home track this Saturday.

And if Roper can bag five winners at Wyong in the last two meetings of the season, she will claim the local apprentices' title.

“It’s a bit of an ask but would be a good consolation to be the leading Wyong apprentice,” she said.

“I’ve had so much support since I’ve come back and it’s great to have so many rides at a home track meeting.”

Among Roper’s winning hopes are Kristen Buchanan’s Kervette ($3.90 on TAB), Kylie Gavenlock’s first starter Gunther ($9), Hawkwind ($7.50) for Adam Duggan, Cha Cha Cha ($6) from the Craig Carmody stable and Denim Wynen’s Obvious Step ($6).

She also has two rides for leading trainer Ciaron Maher, last start Wyong placegetter Brokerage ($2.60 favourite) and two-year-old filly Deep Joy ($5).

“I ride plenty of trials for the Maher stable and they’ve been really good to me,” Roper said. “I haven’t ridden either of these horses before, but I know the stable will have them primed and ready to go.”

Roper expects an improved performance by Kervette second up, after things didn’t go to plan when resuming. She has ridden Gunther in two barrier trials for Gavenlock and expects her to race well on debut.

“She’s a really nice horse and I’m excited to see how she goes first-up. I’ve ridden Hawkwind in all her three starts for a win and two seconds. She’s resuming and goes well first-up.

“I’ve also ridden Obvious Choice for Denim a number of times. She consistent and it looks like a good race for her.”

The first of seven races gets underway at 12.45pm.

SELECTIONS
Race 1 – 12.45pm: TABCORP 2&3YO MAIDEN (1600m): 1 ANNOINT, 2 Cha Cha Cha, 3 Ta Set Neferu, 4 Rosso Nero.
Race 2 – 1.20pm NSW JOCKEYS ASSOCIATION SUPER MAIDEN (1200m): 1 KERVETTE, 2 Rickythesteamboat, 3 Incarcerated, 4 Kickamushu.
Race 3 – 1.55pm: CARLTON & UNITED BREWERIES PROVINCIAL MAIDEN (1000m): 1 NORTHERN EYES, 2 Brutal Belle, 3 He’s In Like Flynn, 4 Sapphire Kiss.
Race 4 – 2.30pm: JOCKEYS CELEBRATION DAY 3YO MAIDEN (1000m): 1 BROKERAGE, 2 Here Comes Hogan, 3 Contrived, 4 Ternini.
Race 5 – 3.10pm: BEN GREER APPRECIATION CLASS 1 (1000m): 1 ARE EE QUE, 2 Hawkwind, 3 Misty Legend, 4 Flying Rani.
Race 6 – 3.50pm: SKY CHANNEL CLASS 1 (1200m): 1 DEEP JOY, 2 Pins And Needles, 3 Chico Casino, 4 Luskaire.
Race 7 – 4.25pm: DREW CHIVAS MEMORIAL MIDWAY BM64 (1350m): 1 CANDY WOMEN, 2 Bonus Tempus, 3 Obvious Step, 4 Bend The Knee.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Wyong here