Apprentice Shae Wilkes is chasing a crowning moment in her budding career aboard King Kikau in the Country Classic at Rosehill

Trainer Wayne Wilkes has rewarded the hard work and dedication of his daughter Shae by giving the emerging apprentice a shot at her first city win on King Kikau at Rosehill.

Trainer Wayne Wilkes will give his daughter, Shae, the biggest opportunity of her fledgling career when King Kikau contests Saturday’s $160,000 Country Classic (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens.

Apprentice Shae Wilkes has only been riding since March this year but will get her first opportunity in the city with two rides on the Festival Stakes card.

One of those will come for her Dad and boss as they look to combine to win the country feature with King Kikau.

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Wayne Wilkes believes she has earned the opportunity.

“It hasn’t been planned, it was just a matter of when Shae was ready and it just happened this way,” he said.

“She has gone outstanding. She has been riding since March, and for two months she’s was off injured, and she is closing on 40 winners.

“Its full credit to her, she wanted to do it and make it her life and her passion.”

Wilkes says his three kilo claiming apprentice knows King Kikau inside out and has ridden the gelding in three of his past four starts.

“She rides him in all of his trackwork and has ridden him a couple of times in races,” Wilkes said.

“He is probably a horse that goes better for the girls than the boys. A couple of blokes have had a go on him but he seems to go better with the girls.”

PESHMERGA wins the Taree Cup!@AshMorgan6 takes off midrace and the @mcsmithracing mare keeps going to outstay Fay's Angels and claim the Big Dance 💃 eligible @ManningClub feature with King Kikau in third. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/nSTnGj4IFi

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) October 18, 2024

King Kikau is a $34 outsider for the Country Classic but Wilkes believes he’s a better chance than the big price suggests.

The son of Scissor Kick was placed in the Taree Cup last time out and will handle expected soft conditions in Sydney.

“I think he is a really good chance in the race, coming out of a third in the Taree Cup going into the race,” Wilkes said.

“I am very happy with the way he is going heading into the race.

“A soft track would be a perfect scenario for him.”

Wilkes will make her city riding debut earlier on the card when she partners the John Bannister-trained Oh No Bro in the Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (2000m).

She has partnered Oh No Bro to three consecutive victories.

Originally published as Apprentice Shae Wilkes is chasing a crowning moment in her budding career aboard King Kikau in the Country Classic at Rosehill