Vigar has plenty of vigour for big results

APPRENTICE  jockey Raymond Vigar has made an instant­ impression in Queensland racing.

APPRENTICE  jockey Raymond Vigar has made an instant impression in Queensland racing.

Vigar, on loan to Brisbane trainer Les Ross for three months from Alice Springs, had a winner from his six rides at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Tragedy struck Vigar, 19, at Christmas time and keen for a change, he headed to Queensland, where he has a lot of family­.

“His best mate got killed in an accident on Christmas Day and he took it pretty hard,” Ross told the Brisbane Courier-Mail­.

“He was apprenticed to my nephew in Alice Springs and he asked me to take him on for a month, thinking new surround­s might help him.

“I didn’t really need anyone at the time, but I agreed to help out and after that first month, I signed him straight up for another­ two.

“I’ve got a lot of time for this boy. I think he’s a good kid going places and I expect him to make the grade.

“Everyone who meets him likes him.” Vigar is determined to be a success while racing in Queensland.

“I moved here to see some of my family – I’m related to the Appos and Beau (Appo) is like a brother to me.

“But I also saw it as a chance to further my career as a jockey. There’s not a lot of opportunities in Alice Springs and I grabbed this with both hands.”

TRAINER Sheila Arnold has not ruled out a return to Alice Springs for the May carnival.

At the forefront of any mission to the Red Centre is likely to be last year’s Alice Springs Cup winner The Ruffian who impressed on winning race five at Oakbank on Saturday.

While Arnold was remaining uncommitted about her plans when the NT News caught up with her at her Kyneton stables yesterday, she did admit that The Ruffian looked good in taking out the Coates Hire Handicap over 1900m.

“The Ruffian will be back from Oakbank tonight,” Arnold said yesterday.

“He got to the front and kept going.

“He is still sound and still has a fair bit of racing in him.”