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Fledgling apprentice jockey Jasper Franklin couldn’t have started his riding career on a better note when he won at his debut ride and at Coffs Harbour on Friday he could add to his tally.
Jasper Franklin is booked to ride three horses including two for Coffs Harbour trainer Brett Dodson and one for Donna Grisedale.
The son of former jockey Craig Franklin only started race riding in April on Anzac Day when he won on Allares for his master Matthew Dunn at Murwillumbah.
Dodson will leg the young jockey aboard Demykani Miss in The Seeabreeze Hotel SWR Showcase F&M Benchmark 58 (1000m) and also Vacate in The Toormina Hotel Toormina Cup Showcase Benchmark 66 (1300m).
Demykani Miss ($6 NSW TAB) is one of the form horses in the field with two wins from her past three starts which have all occurred since she joined the Dodson stable earlier this year.
Local owners Peter and Sue Grimmond have been delighted with the progress of Demykani Miss whose two recent wins have taken place at Coffs Harbour.
They also share in the ownership of another Dodson runner on Friday in Amber Deluxe ($9) which will start in The Palms Toormina Hotel Showcase Maiden Plate (1000m).
Dodson said it has been a step back in time watching Franklin start his riding career.
"His father Craig rode a fair few winners for me and Jasper had his first ride for me on Monday and rode the horse perfectly to finish fourth," he said.
"Demykani Miss is a better chance than the horse which raced at Ballina and Jasper's four kilogram claim will bring her with only 58 kilograms.
"She has a nice draw as well in gate three so I expect her to gain a good run and race up to her recent efforts at Coffs Harbour."
Demykani Miss has won on heavy tracks at Coffs Harbour and the forecast rating of slow is also suitable, according to her trainer.
The mare could push on to next month's Grafton Cup carnival if she maintains her present form.
"She has only been with me for a few starts and has done well to win two races so soon," he said.
"She has a good turn of foot, can dash quickly, then hold them off if she is good enough."
Demykani Miss is by Delago Deluxe as is Amber Deluxe which showed promise at her debut finishing second, although beaten more than four lengths, at Coffs Harbour.
With expected natural improvement and back to her home track for her second start, Amber Deluxe could progress one place better in a competitive maiden race.
Not Taking, which has been placed three times from as many starts for Tuncurry Girl trainer Terry Evans, is expected to prove one of the toughest opponents to hold out.
Dodson will have top jockey Matthew Bennett ride Amber Deluxe and also Sawtell against Vacate in the feature race.
Amber Deluxe has purposely not raced since May 21 with Dodson content to give the mare time since her debut.
"She ran a creditable second and has kept improving. She isn't a big filly so the time between starts was needed and I think from a good draw in two she can give a good sight," he said.
As for his stablemates in the same race, Dodson is content to see how they fare with Sawtell having his first start since December.
"He will need a longer distance and has some races at the cup carnivals at Grafton and Coffs Harbour coming up," he said.
"Vacate has bene good to the stable winning five races and has a good record at Coffs Harbour where he has won three times from five starts.
"He is in the right class and with Jasper's four kilogram claim will carry 55.5 kilograms so he is also a chance."
Last start winner Fantasy Eagle ($3.20) is rated on top with Toomai ($5) and Hard Faith ($5.50) also expected to figure.
Meanwhile, Franklin's other ride for Grisedale, Tiomo ($7,50), is also ranked among the better chances in The Racing League – TRL Showcase Benchmark 58 (1600m).
Tiomo has raced once since a spell finishing fourth at the Gold Coast.
