Apprentice jockey Jace McMurray grabbing the attention of trainers in NSW

Sydney-based apprentice Jace McMurray is starting to capture the attention of trainers, and it’s not just because of his valuable 3kg claim.

Trainer Michael Freedman concedes it was only a matter of time before the secret started to get out.

Freedman’s new stable apprentice, Jace McMurray, is quickly establishing himself as one of the most talented young riders in Sydney racing and goes to Rosehill after a confidence-boost midweek double at Canterbury.

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“Jace is a good, young rider, he’s working hard, he wants to learn and is doing all the right things,’’ Freedman said.

“I think he is starting to catch the attention of quite a few people now as he is a very good 3kg claiming option.

“Actually, my brother Lee (Hall of Fame trainer) rang me about a year ago and said I should keep an eye on this kid as he has a good future.’’

Sky Thoroughbred Central presenter and former champion jockey Corey Brown has also been an admirer of McMurray’s talents for some months and was instrumental in convincing the Queensland-based apprentice to move to Sydney and join the Freedman stable last month.

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McMurray is finding his feet in the cauldron of Sydney racing and his brace of midweek wins were for Freedman on Just Feelin Lucky and Inside Man.

Therefore, it is no surprise Freedman has entrusted the emerging apprentice with his three stable rides at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

They include the underrated Spanish Fox who is aiming for his sixth win of the season and his fourth in the metropolitan area in the Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1200m).

Spanish Fox struck a rich vein of form late last year winning five races in succession and his two comeback efforts this campaign indicate he is close to regaining top form.

Jace McMurray guides Fiorsum Fred to victory in a Highway Handicap at Scone earlier this month. Picture: Getty Images

Freedman said Spanish Fox will strip fitter for Rosehill after his recent runs including a last-start third to Zealously over 1100m at the Scone stand-alone meeting two weeks ago.

“I was really happy with Spanish Fox at Scone,’’ Freedman said.

“He had a bit of ring rust first-up as he had been off the scene a while but he came on nicely between his first and second runs.

“I think he has trained on again since then and this does look a nice race for him on Saturday.’’

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McMurray, who has a busy afternoon at Rosehill with eight rides, also partners the Freedman-trained Codetta who resumes in the Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1100m).

Codetta was bred and is owned by Debbie Kepitis of Winx fame. The filly is a half-sister to the ill-fated three-time Group 1 winner Riff Rocket.

Although Riff Rocket won the ATC Australian Derby and Victoria Derby double, Codetta is showing more brilliance and is very effective over sprint distances with two wins and two second placings from five starts this season.

She is resuming off a four month spell and has had one barrier trial hitout when third at Randwick earlier this month.

“I have only given her the one barrier trial but she did have a jump out on the Polytrack over 800m last week,’’ Freedman said.

“She’s good to go. She’s a nice, genuine filly and if the track is on the soft side, it won’t worry her.’’

Spanish Fox is seeking a sixth win of the season at Rosehill on Saturday. Picture: Getty Images

Freedman and McMurray also combine with the tough Edited By in the Ranvet Handicap (1500m).

This is where the apprentice’s 3kg claim is crucial as he reduces Edited By’s impost from 61kg to 58kg.

“Edited By has become an awkward horse to place because he has crept up in the ratings,’’ Freedman said.

“I don’t think he is quite up to (benchmark) 88 races so has had to carry big weights in these 78 races.

“But I thought we would go back to where he has won over 1500m at Rosehill before and see how he goes. Certainly, Jace’s claim helps, too.’’

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Freedman, who prepared brilliant filly Marhoona to win the Golden Slipper earlier this autumn is chasing more big-race two-year-old success with unbeaten Aerodrome in the Group 2 $1m BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm.

Aerodrome defeated subsequent winner Hidden Motive on debut at Warwick Farm then wore down Hereward to win at Hawkesbury on a heavy track last start but Freedman is hoping Eagle Farm has a drier surface for the Sires.

“I think probably in the Clarendon Stakes at Hawkesbury while Aerodrome got the job done I don’t think he was at home on heavy 8 as he has such a big, long stride on him,’’ Freedman said.

“If he can get back onto a slightly firmer deck that would be more to his liking as well.’’

Originally published as Apprentice jockey Jace McMurray grabbing the attention of trainers in NSW