Luke Tarrant set to make his return to the saddle at Gold Coast on Saturday

FORMER champion apprentice Luke Tarrant is set to make a low-key return to racing at the Gold Coast on Saturday, riding the unraced Excalibrator for Helen Page.

Luke Tarrant will return to race riding at Gold Coast on Saturday. Picture: Tara Croser

FORMER champion apprentice Luke Tarrant is set to make a low-key return to racing at the Gold Coast on Saturday, riding the unraced Excalibrator for Helen Page.

Tarrant is also booked to ride Rosella for Troy Hall at Caloundra on Sunday.

He hasn’t ridden since December last year after being outed for six months on a positive drug test. He also has the matter of six drug and property charges to be heard, with a trial date set for December.

Tarrant had a career highlight when he won the 2015 Magic Millions on Le Chef and then at last year’s winter carnival he formed a good association with the Clarry Conners-trained Look To The Stars.

Prior to the Magic Millions, he showcased his skills in Sydney when he rode Rudy to victory in the Group 2 Villiers Stakes.

Luke Tarrant had success with Look To The Stars for trainer Clarry Conners. Picture: Jono Searle

Tarrant earned the ire of several of Australia’s top jockeys when he was found guilty of causing severe interference on Jumbo Prince in the 2015 Grand Prix Stakes.

After returning from that suspension, Tarrant struggled to attain the same level of form as he did in his blistering 2014-15 season. Before being outed last season his 216 rides produced just 19 winners at a strike rate of just 9 per cent, compared to a career figure of 14 per cent.

Originally published as Luke Tarrant set to make his return to the saddle at Gold Coast on Saturday