Racing: Lammas stars at apprentice champs

Matamata apprentice Buddy Lammas and Sydney's Kathy O'Hara scored remarkable wins when they cleaned up the only two heats on the first night of the rich Emirates International Apprentices Championships in Dubai.

Lammas and O'Hara grabbed their victories at Dubai's premier racetrack Nad Al Sheba on the first of the three-night series, which was run early Friday morning New Zealand time.

The moment was not lost on Lammas, who has shown he has a great future in racing from when he was first granted his licence.

"It is a big deal for me to ride in this championship and represent New Zealand," said Lammas at the press conference, where apprentice jockeys from around the world were interviewed.

It was the first time riding on dirt tracks for both Lammas and O'Hara.

Lammas mount in the 1600m event was the Irish-bred Delude, raced by Dubai racing's No 1 son Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum.

The Be My Guest gelding is trained by Mazin Al Kurdi and won by one and threequarter lengths going away.

"Coming round the final bend I pulled him out and he changed legs and came home strongly," said Lammas.

O'Hara, who rides well on the tough Sydney circuit, was ecstatic in winning on Outpoker in a straight 1000m. "That's the first time I've ridden in a straight course race and the first time on dirt - what a thrill," said O'Hara.

The second night of the three-night series was run in the early hours of this morning.

Benicio coming to Ellerslie

The Victoria Derby winner Benicio, trained by Lee Freedman, is among the entries received for the $600,000 Mercedes Derby at Ellerslie on March 4.

The Auckland Racing Club is delighted with the Australian nominations for the icon events at what will be the new March carnival of racing at Ellerslie.

The Derby has attracted 250 nominations, 17 from the Mike Moroney/Andrew Scott stable, which is shooting for its third straight Derby victory.

Melbourne Cup sixth placegetter Portland Singa, trained by Neville McBurney, has been nominated for the Auckland Cup.