Albany apprentice off to represent WA

Albany jockey Shelby Colgate will get the chance to ride for WA on Saturday when she competes in the first leg of the National Apprentice Race Series in Tasmania.

Colgate, 22, in her fourth year as an apprentice will ride outside of WA for the first time when she makes the trip to Launceston for their night meeting on Saturday, headlined by the opening leg of the nationwide series.

She will be aboard The Hussler for trainer Andrew Roach in the $17,000 National Apprentice Race Series (1200m) from barrier 13 and claims 3kg.

The Hussler has been placed in two of his three previous runs for Roach but only has one career win to his name.

In a boost to her long trip, Colgate will also take a ride for Adam Trinder at the meet when she partners maiden galloper Starbration in race 4.

Trinder’s star three-year-old Mystic Journey won the $1 million Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington last Saturday.

Having ridden 54 career winners, Colgate said she was shocked by the call-up for the series when she was told last month.

“I honestly didn’t think the opportunity would ever come,” she said.

“So it’s pretty cool to be going away and representing WA.

“Being on new horses for new trainers is difficult but something I’ve gotten used to, you just have to do your research.

“I’m really looking forward to a new experience and learning how they do things over there.”

Colgate said it would be great to pinch a victory for WA but conceded they need some luck from the draw to figure in the opening leg.