Apprentice Logan Bates chasing maiden city win at The Valley and Sandown Lakeside

Logan Bates’ senior colleagues have created a vacuum which the apprentice has been happy to fill in recent weeks, and the NZ-born jockey is now chasing his maiden city win.

Apprentice Logan Bates is happy to take the chances his senior colleagues have created for him in recent weeks.

Victoria’s top jockeys have not ridden in jumpouts since December 1 last year as they chase a riding fee for their services in the unofficial trials at the state’s biggest training centres.

Their absence has left a small band of senior jockeys, jumps jockeys and apprentices to ride in most Victorian jumpouts in recent weeks.

The Cranbourne-based Bates said the heavier workload was one reason for his outstanding recent form, which has landed him 13 wins from his last 50 rides, including three doubles and a quartet of wins at the Mornington meeting on January 19.

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“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind, especially in the last six to seven weeks, how things have picked up,” Bates said.

“Doing the jumpouts with the boys out of action there has probably helped me a lot.

“It has just given me that exposure to a whole range of trainers, different training complexes, different horses and a different feel.

“It has probably helped me a lot quicker than how things could have been if they were normal.

“I’m grateful for the opportunities and am trying to take as many of them as I can to ride each horse the best I can.”

The Christchurch-born Bates hails from racing stock with both parents, father Jamie and mother Kylie Williams, being successful jockeys.

Logan Bates has ridden 13 winners from his last 50 rides in a terrific run of form and will chase his first city win at The Valley and Sandown in the coming days. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

Bates endured failure to be accepted into Racing Victoria’s apprentice program at his first attempt before starting his apprenticeship under trainer Cindy Alderson 18 months ago.

“I had never ridden a horse properly until 2019 but within about 10 months, I rode in my first jumpout with dad,” the 23-year-old said.

“I remember, I led up and dad sat outside of me and guided me the whole way.

“I tried out for the apprentice intake in my first year and just missed out and they gave me good confidence to come back.

“I screwed myself down and worked that little bit harder and ended up getting in.

“I’ve been riding about 17 or 18 months but it’s all been good and it keeps picking up.”

• Early Oil: Sandown race-by-race preview for Saturday

Bates has since ridden 55 winners, including 30 this season at the terrific strike rate of 17 per cent, but will chase his first city wins with four rides at The Valley on Friday night and the mount on Holy Racket in the last race of Saturday’s Sandown meeting.

Bates will need to be at his best to get Holy Racket home as a $16 chance in the Sandown contest which the pair will take on the short-priced favourite New York Lustre.

“He’s got a nice draw and should get a soft run,” Bates said.

“EJ (Enver Jusufovic) has got his one in there New York Lustre that has been ultra-impressive in its runs this preparation so that’s going to be the one to beat.

“But my fellow has trialled up well and should put himself there.”

Originally published as Apprentice Logan Bates chasing maiden city win at The Valley and Sandown Lakeside