Legendary Queensland jockey Shane Scriven has welcomed an Australia-wide revamp of the National Apprentice Race Series (NARS) ahead of next month’s opening round in Tasmania.
With this year’s series staged across five thrilling rounds, NARS, which aims to shine a light on the next generation of Aussie racing stars, will begin at Launceston on March 9.
The riders then head West to Ascot Racecourse in Perth (March 13), before arriving in Queensland to ride at Doomben on March 20. Riders will then head to Strathalbyn in South Australia (March 27) before the thrilling finale is held at Sandown Racecourse, Victoria, on April 3.
Scriven, Racing Queensland’s senior apprentice coach, said the series had been streamlined to three-and-a-half-weeks to maximise exposure for the apprentice riders while giving the series the recognition and promotion it deserves.
“I am really looking forward to this series to see who will stand triumphant as a potential superstar of the future,” Scriven said.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for apprentices to experience riding at different tracks across the country and to network with other apprentices nationwide.”
A Racing Queensland-led re-brand of the series will see each nominated rider wear coloured breeches for their state, in conjunction with an advertising campaign that has featured in publications across the country announcing ‘The Future Has Arrived.’
“All participating states have worked tirelessly in conjunction with RQ to improve and advertise the series and increase exposure for all apprentices,” Scriven said.
Country Apprentice of the Year Nathan Fazackerley will be the first Queenslander to don the maroon at Launceston on March 9. Baylee Nothdurft will represent Queensland in Western Australia, with Jackson Murphy to round out the series for Queensland at Sandown on April 3.
Madeleine Wishart was due to represent Queensland in South Australia before she experienced a fall at Toowoomba last weekend.
“On behalf of everyone at Racing Queensland we would like to wish Madeleine a full and speedy recovery,” Scriven said.
Scriven said the Queensland representative to wear maroon at Strathalbyn and at Doomben on March 20 will be announced in due course.