Tamworth preview: Fairytale start looms for Cav’s new kid on the bloke

Koscuiszko winning trainer Brett Cavanough helps to launch the career of his apprentice Nick Palmer at Tamworth on Monday with the 17-year-old having his first race ride.

Trainer Brett Cavanough has plenty of chances to win at Tamworth on Monday

JOCKEY Nick Palmer could look back on The Everest week 2024 with memories that last a life-time should he be granted the fairytale opening to his career at Tamworth on Monday.

The seventeen-year-old hoop will have his first race ride on Monday aboard the blueblooded Scarzel for his master Brett Cavanough in a Highway-quality 1000m country sprint.

“Nick came to me to be an apprentice jockey and has been with me a fair while now,’’ Cavanough told The Daily Telegraph.

FIELDS AND FORM TAMWORTH MONDAY

“He’s done his trials and he’s had a really good back-grounding, obviously with my two other apprentices there (Braith Nock and Cobi Vitler),

“He’s got a camp-drafting background and for his age he is a very good horseman.

“He’s a good boy, he’s ready to go.”

Scarzel is a flashy son of Scarlet Rain which won her first three starts as a two-year-old culminating in the Group 2 ATC Sweet Embrace Stakes.

Scarzel’s first and only start so far for Kosciuszko winning trainer Cavanough was an honourable second in a 1000m Benchmark 82 at Tamworth on September 16.

“I actually bought this horse to be Nick’s horse as an apprentice,’’ Cavanough explained.

“I just thought when I put (Scarzel) back in grade and up in weight, Nick’s four kilo claim would be perfect.’’

Cavanough could have as many as six runners at Tamworth on Monday with hopes of bookending the program with Reluctant Diva in the opener and Patriot Bloodstock galloper Sting Jet in the closer.

Reluctant Diva is a valuable dual purpose proposition given her regal heritage.

A daughter of All Too Hard, Reluctant Diva’s third dam is Lady Jakeo who won the Blue Diamond Stakes and the Moir Stakes (beating Hareeba and others).

The Peter Orton owned three-year-old had excuses for her fading and distant fourth at home at Scone at her most recent outing.

“I think she just over did things in front herself the other day with different gear on her head,’’ Cavanough said.

“Scone maidens are strong and she has been performing well there (so) it looks a winnable maiden for her.

“She is very, very fit and ready to go to the races and she will be well ridden (by Mitchell Bell).’’

Sting Jet meanwhile will make a return visit to Tamworth on Monday almost six months to the day after he claimed bronze in the H&NW Country Championship Qualifying Heat.

A son of dual Cox Plate winner So You Think, Sting Jet opened his 2024/25 season campaign with a creditable sixth in a fast run 1000m TAB Highway on September 21 with 58.5kgs on board.

Cav’s charge is down in class but up in weight on Monday, four kilograms to be precise, in the Country Boosted Class 3 (1200m).

“He has got a big weight for a reason,’’ Cavanough said. “He is in the right race.

“He’s in perfect order going into the race so we will see how he performs and goes from there.

‘’He’ll go through the grades in the country, I have got no doubt about that.

“He is an above-average horse who does everything right. He’s honest and a neat little horse to train.’’

Two of Cavanough’s Tamworth bound team have drawn wide on Monday, namely Mad Harry (barrier 20) and stablemate Paris Lad (17).

Despite his dastardly draw, Paris Lad is the $3.50 TAB Fixed Odds favourite to take out the McDonalds Handicap (1400m).

“He is a lovely horse on the way through,’’ Cavanough said.

“He has drawn wide but hopefully I can offset that with Mitchell (Bell) and a good ride.

“He can put himself handy, he’ll be there somewhere.”

Originally published as Tamworth preview: Fairytale start looms for Cav’s new kid on the bloke