Pat Webster’s commitment to the next generation of jockeys had the one time rider in Dubbo on Tuesday. As part of the Racing NSW apprentice mentoring team Webster went west to talk to the latest batch of juniors while son Wayne was left in charge of the Randwick stable.
The father and son train in partnership and while the team in work amounts to just on a dozen thoroughbreds there isn’t a standout. An At Sea, a Montana Sands, a Abi Nitio, a Shy Hero or a Thankgodyou’rehere.
“They were all group horses and I said to Wayne the other day you can’t expect to have one in the stable all the time when you’re working 12 to 14 horses,” Pat Webster said.
“Stables with 30 and 40 horses don’t have them but they do come around. We do need something to pop its head up and it might be Electrician.”
Electirian runs in the fourth at Warwick Farm on Wednesday while stablemate Persian Storm is down to run the third event.
“Electrician is a very nice horse and we’re hoping he steps up,” Webster said.
“He has only had the three starts and his latest effort at Wyong was very good and we’ve taken the blinkers off him.
“He was interfered with round the back of the course and lost his position but the pleasing part was that he found the line better than anything else in the race.
“He has done well in the stable since that effort and we live in hope.”
While 2kg claimer Anthony Allen is down to ride Electrician fellow junior Sam Clipperton will take a similar weight off Persian Storm.
“I was just talking to Wayne and he was about to the do the form on the Persian Storm race,”Webster said.
“He has drawn the outside barrier in 10. We’re a stable that hasn’t had much luck from wide alleys of late.”
Persian Storm returned from a spell and missed a place at Canterbury but there were excuses. After leading Persian Storm struck interference from a riderless horse.
“It certainly didn’t help him,” Webster said.
“If Wayne thinks the barrier will hinder his chances at Warwick Farm tomorrow we will save him for another day.
“At a pinch he could be at Inverell on Cup day, it is New Year’s Day. That’s my old home town and I’ve never had a runner in the cup but it is something I’ve always wanted to do.
“He could be the horse, he might be the right horse too.”
By Craig Young
