Mick Price’s surprise call to Emily Lang lands boom apprentice first stakes ride on metropolitan debut

Emily Lang has been held back from riding at metropolitan level for two years, but is ready to burst onto the scene after landing a plum ride in the Listed Glasshouse Handicap for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr.

Emily Lang was thinking worst-case scenario when she saw an unknown number pop up on her phone, but it could be one of the best calls of her life if What You Need wins the Listed Glasshouse Handicap (1400m) at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.

The prolific apprentice will have her first metropolitan Saturday rides at Caloundra and will notch up her first stakes start in the process after answering a SOS from the Group 1 winning duo of Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr.

“It is my first metro Saturday, I have been riding a few Wednesday’s lately,” she said.

“I was a bit shocked yesterday, he (Price) must have been trying to get onto (bosses) Matt (Hoysted) and Steve (O’Dea) early in the morning, I think Matt was having a nap after trackwork.

“So Mick called me and I didn’t know the number, I thought it might have been a steward of all people.

“I answered and he goes ‘It’s Mick Price here’, he asked me if I could ride, so of course I wanted to.”

What You Need has mixed his form over his brief career. Picture: George Sal / Racing Photos

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The enigmatic colt has mixed his form, but has been backed from $26 into $11 for Saturday’s feature in what could cap a whirlwind for Lang, who burst onto the scene two years ago by riding five winners at her second day at the races.

With the backing of Brisbane’s power stables, Lang is also set to start as the favourite for next season’s coveted champion apprentice race.

“From this Saturday I will be full time in town all things being well and they still want to be picky about what I ride, but when someone like Mick Price calls and asks if you can ride one of his, it is hard to turn down,” she said.

“Matt (Hoysted) has been pretty selective about what he lets me ride at a metro level, I have been riding a bit of work for Tony (Gollan) and Rob (Heathcote) when I can, so horses I ride in work they are letting me ride on race day.

“People still bring up that day (five winners), but it feels like forever ago now.

What You Need extends the unbeaten run. What a horse! Wins the Sunlight Classic | 📽 @7HorseRacing#AusCuppic.twitter.com/gstQ8BzYKf

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) March 25, 2023

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“It has been good, I have been able to ride out my country and provincial claim and I have had a few opportunities, it has all been worth it so far.

“There is a good bit of support for me, I have been lucky that the people I rode winners for when I had a claim, they have stuck by me and continued to put me on.

“It is going to be quite competitive next season with the likes of Jai (Williams) and Cody (Collis) coming in, we have had quite a competitive year in the provincials which is good because I think it makes us ride better.”

Lang will also ride Jayanthi and Termagant for O’Dea and Hoysted along with Navas Two (Adam Campton) and Rhumb Line (Mark Currie).

Originally published as Mick Price’s surprise call to Emily Lang lands boom apprentice first stakes ride on metropolitan debut