3 minute read

Trainer Joseph Ible is expecting Big Apple to make a strong first impression when his new addition makes his stable debut in Saturday's Brad Kerr Provincial Benchmark 64 Handicap (1200m) at Kembla Grange.

Big Apple spent the first few years of his career being trained by Matt Laurie in Victoria, chalking up two wins and four placings from 15 starts.

Joseph Ible picked up the son of Manhattan Rain online earlier this year and has given the five-year-old time to settle into his new surroundings on the NSW south coast.

He believes Big Apple still has plenty to offer as he prepares for his return on home turf.

"We have had him for about three months now, he has had a great preparation and we want to get him to the races," Ible said.

"We got him in Inglis Digital back in May and he looked like a nice horse that just lost his way a bit.

"I think he is up to Midway grade but he has come to us with a low rating so we will kick him off on Saturday.

"He is a lovely horse, he does his work nicely and is showing every indication that he is above average to go on and be competitive in city grade."

Ible will rely on jockey Louise Day to handle Big Apple in his return where TAB have installed him as a $3.10 favourite.

Ible is hoping to chase a winning double on the afternoon with stablemate Jinsoku also lining up for his second start in the Hansen & Cole Midway Maiden Plate (1200m).

Jinsoku was hard in the market on his debut at the track on September 14 but struggled to fire as expected in a 1000m event.

"He is a very funny horse," Ible said. "He raced like he trialled in his first trial and his two other trials he was able to find the lead and show his cruising speed and then show a nice sprint off it.

"The other day he got a bit lost in amongst horses so hopefully he can find the lead and if he can do that it will be a different story."