Racing: Apprentice in the hot seat

You might think the riding engagement of apprentice Lee Callaway for Mi Jubilee in a group one race seems odd.

Callaway has been used to unbeaten effect as a claiming apprentice in Mi Jubilee's last two starts, but normal practice would be to engage a senior rider for a race like tomorrow's $120,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Breeders Stakes, in which there are no claims.

Trainer Stephen Crutchley says Callaway has retained the ride because he gets on well with the hugely talented filly.

"She's not easy to ride. If a rider takes hold of her head when she jumps from the gate she gets her head up then you've got all sorts of fun and games.

"I was very happy with the way David [Walker] rode her, but when I had to use another jockey things didn't quite go to plan.

"It was no fault of the replacement rider, but she's a filly you've got to get to know and Lee seems to understand her."

After looking the equal of any of last season's juveniles, Mi Jubilee lost form for a spell with foot troubles and physical problems, but bounced back with devastating wins at Ellerslie, Trentham and Tauranga.

This is a bit different - she is stepping up to group one and to 1600m for the first time.

Crutchley does not see the distance as a problem.

"She has a high cruising speed and can maintain it for quite a while then still sprint off it."

The Wanganui trainer says Mi Jubilee's problems have been greatly eased by chiropractors Graeme and Rick Boyd and by the easing of the ground.

"I wouldn't say her foot problem is 100 per cent fixed, but it's okay for now and she managing it."

After rain early in the week, the Te Aroha surface was yesterday at 2.7 dead and improving. But bad weather is predicted for today and showers for tomorrow, so based on that a firm surface looks a remote hope.

Cambridge filly Pulcinella is coming back to her best distance for this race after a wilting sixth behind Kristov in the weight-for-age Starcraft Stakes at Ellerslie last start.

The 2000m that day proved a touch too far. Pulcinella loomed up to challenge at the top of the home straight, but couldn't sustain the effort.

Back to 1600m against her own sex will be a different story.

"This is her last one, she goes out after this so being a fillies and mares race close to home we decided to have a go," said trainer Don Sellwood.

"The biggest problem is going to be the weather report - it looks pretty ordinary."

While he would prefer to see a good track, Sellwood is not devastated at the prospect of Pulcinella facing a soft surface.

"She's not one of those heavy, lumbering fillies, she might get through it if it's soft."

With Noel Harris sidelined with injury, Pucinella will be ridden by Lisa Cropp.

"She looks bright and I'm happy with her," said Sellwood.

* New Zealand TAB fixed-odds markets for New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Stks, $120,000, wfa f&m, group one, 1600m:

$4.25 Justa Tad; $8.50 Viennetta; $9 La Sizeranne, Arlingtonboulevard; $11 Salsa; $13 Pulcinella, Mi Jubilee; $15 Haylee Baylee; $16 Macavelli Miss; $17 Julinsky Princess; $18 Pentazia; $25 Kew; $30 Sista, Sanitee, Bridie Belle, Rosetti Bay; $35 Aimee's Idol, Santoya, Starliner.