Racing: Apprentices go head to head

SYDNEY - Apprentices Brenton Avdulla and Josh Adams fought out the Villiers Stakes last week and are well poised to do likewise in Sunday's Summer Cup.

The two youngsters will ride the fresh stayers on the scene in the 2400m Boxing Day feature at Randwick, with Avdulla piloting Beijing Boy and Adams on Gopana.

Both horses will be having their first stakes test but winning form has the riders confident of success.

"He's probably the new staying prospect going around," Avdulla said of lightly raced 6-year-old Beijing Boy.

"Horses like Bellagio Wynn and all that are coming from the hard slog 2400m [in the Christmas Cup] while he's coming from 1800 and 2000m and he's probably still got that freshness in his legs.

"I just think if the horse runs a strong 2400 and gets the right run in the race he'll be awfully hard to beat."

Beijing Boy was installed the A$4.20 favourite with TAB Sportsbet yesterday, with Gopana equal second elect alongside Rock Kingdom at A$5.

Avdulla has made a flying start to this season with a first group one win on Secret Admirer in the Flight Stakes in October. He is equal with Adams on top of the apprentices' premiership on 21 city wins.

The talented apprentice gave another indication of his ability to compete on a level playing field with senior jockeys when winning the Villiers on Dances On Waves.

Dances On Waves defeated Mentality who was ridden by Adams.

Team Hawkes has been a strong supporter of Adams and the 18-year-old is confident of repaying the faith with victory on Gopana.

Gopana has won three of her past four starts, including a narrow victory over The Verminator in a 2000m midweek event at Rosehill last start.

The mare attacked the line in a performance that filled Adams with confidence stepping up to 2400m in the Summer Cup.

- AAP