Faithfull’s first crack at Hannans with outsider

Albany jockey Natasha Faithfull will have her first ride in the listed $120,000 Hannans Handicap tomorrow, partnering A Bit Sketchy in the rich feature race at the Kalgoorlie Boulder Racing Club.

Faithfull, who rode her first winner as a jockey in Kalgoorlie in 2011, has not ridden in the Hannans Handicap previously but will be aboard the lightweight chance in the 2018 edition of the race.

A Bit Sketchy has been in terrific form at her past three starts in the Goldfields, winning the Shire Of Coolgardie Handicap (1300m) on September 9 before running a close-up fourth in the $30,000 Kambalda Cup (1400m) late last month.

Trained by Craig Wright, the seven-year-old mare came from sixth on the turn in the Kambalda Cup to get beaten by a short half-head in the finish.

Faithfull replaces Matthieu Autier on A Bit Sketchy, with Autier taking the mount on Wright’s other runner in the race, Bollywood Blitz.

A Bit Sketchy will jump from barrier eight and carry the minimum 54kg in the feature race which is set down for 4.50pm.

Former Albany apprentice Tayla Stone will be aboard Senorita Bonita for Peter Fernie in the Hannans Handicap, after they teamed up to win the Kambalda Cup.

Ex-Albany hoop Mitchell Pateman doesn’t have a ride in the Hannans Handicap but takes a strong book of seven rides on the eight-race program tomorrow.

Meanwhile Lordhelpmerun has returned to racing in impressive fashion for Albany trainer Steve Wolfe, running second in the $70,000 Happy 90th Birthday Leo Loughnan Plate (1200m).

The WA Sires’ Produce Stakes winner lumped 60kg and ran home strongly to finish second to Pablo’s Poem beaten 1¾ lengths at his first start since April.

“A very smart horse beat him,” Wolfe said.

“He stuck to his task under the 60kg and the (WA) Guineas is our target.

“We’ve got plenty of time so we’ll keep ticking the boxes and he might not run again until the Fairetha (Stakes) next month.”