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By Tony Megahey

Widely-travelled South African training newcomer Lyle Chandler hails from the Kimberley region, famed for the finest diamonds in the world, and he brings an education just as valuable in racing with the strongly-fancied Banju ($15 into $9.50 on TAB) into a Rosehill Gardens TAB $75,000 Class 3, 1500m on Saturday.

And the booking of South African-born jockey Jean Van Overmeire, on the limit weight, is as compelling a punting omen as it gets.

Banju (Billy Cray) lands the money at Quirindi. Image by Bradley Photographers

Scone-based Chandler, 38, in just his second training season and with only two gallopers in work, brings racing passions and ambitions that run deep with his Swedish riding partner Emily.

“I don’t have any of those diamonds, but I’ve been lucky enough to work with the best and see a lot of the world and we’re looking for more horses and obviously opportunities,” Lyle quipped.

After starting his education at home with the premier South African stable, then time in England, Lyle eventually came to Australia to work for Team Hayes, then the Van Dyke, Waterhouse stables, and then foreman for John O’Shea stables, before Lyle became determined to go it alone.

Chandler’s first winner was Banju in a modest Quirindi maiden in February and a follow-up success in a Bathurst Benchmark 58 recently.

The in-form Benfica gelding has a favourable weight drop on the 54kg limit, less the 1.5kg claim for Jean Van Overmeire after he rode him to win with 60kg over 1400m at Bathurst recently.

“I learned to ride mustering sheep on the family farm and as a young fella I eventually got a job working for the Kotzen stables; Group I and leading trainer back home.

“I went to England for more experience, came back home and decided to look for opportunities out here and I met Emily when we worked for Waterhouse. She rides all our work.”

Lyle, with his initial Highway runner, represents the very essence intended by Racing NSW to afford newcomers opportunity on the big stage for unprecedented prizemoney and exposure.

From July 3, TAB Highway prizemoney escalates to $100,000 as part of a spectacular $9 million increase for NSW regional racing.

So, Chandler is aware of all of that and positive enough for a race-fit and dual winner.

“He’s obviously up in grade but he’s progressive and so consistent and that weight drop; he’s bred to get further so up to 1500m is no issue. And a jockey that knows how to ride him.

“I’d have liked to drawn further in, but there’s generally strong tempo in these races so I’ll leave that to Jean. He’s got that weight drop to close off with the right run and I don’t think it’s an overly strong class 3.

“I’d have preferred firmer going but he does have wet track form.” At present, the 'The Gardens' is assessed a Heavy 8.

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