3 minute read

The Racing SA Apprentice Academy kick-started 2023 in style with a massive month of milestones.

Despite having less rides in January, on the back of less meetings, the next generation of riding talent rode 74 winners, 20 more than December.

Alana Livesey was the most successful rider with 15 wins from 77 rides for the month which included the biggest win of her short but successful career winning the Strathalbyn Cup aboard Bundle Of Fun for top Victorian horseman Patrick Payne on January 29.

Jade Doyle boasted the best strike-rate riding at 21 per cent runners to winners.

The big numbers started early with Ellis Wong riding four metropolitan winners at Gawler on January 7.

He followed winning the Montgomerie/Forrest Series at Strathalbyn on January 15 and also made his Melbourne riding debut at Moonee Valley later that month.

Rochelle Milnes also had a day she won't forget at Ceduna on January 28, the rising star of the saddle riding five winners to continue her rapid progress since debuting at Gawler in late November.

And Ceduna provided Britney Wong her first country cup success winning the day's feature aboard Festival Of Light.

Jacob Opperman also added another feature to his resume winning the Coonawarra Vignerons Cup and second heat of the Limestone Coast Cup Series aboard Wild Willy to continue his great association with Mount Gambier trainer Lee Creek.