This isn't intended to be an objective assessment of the merits of particular riders, but who are the riders that YOU look for in the form guide? It can be 5, 10, however many.
I'll start:
1. N. Callow - I love this guy. Incredibly strong and awesome in a finish. Not afraid to use the shillelagh vigorously if required. Great strike rate and can be backed with confidence. His biggest strengths are his ability in a tight finish, and he is an excellent front running rider. I love his ability to get a horse out of the machine quickly, and then get it to settle underneath him. Only weakness is he is not as good a rider on back markers.
2. C. Newitt - For much the same reasons as I like N. Callow - tremendously strong and ultra consistent. Only concern is his tendency to "not give horses every chance".
3. B. Shinn - Had a bit of a lean patch over the last year when he just seemed to be trying too hard. However, this season is in great form and riding heaps of winners. Great all round rider and exceptional talent - you have to be to win the Scobie as an apprentice. All things being equal he will be a top rider for 20 years.
4. M. Zahra - I love his soft hands. A lot of horses just seem to improve lengths when he rides them - very different style of rider to the first two.
5. G. Colless - This guy would be a star in any state of Australia.
6. D. Beadman - Can't ignore the prolific amount of winners he rides. The total package.
7. B. Rawiller - You don't have a bet in the country without checking where his name is.
8. L. Beer - Bit more obscure name but rides his fair share of good priced winners in the country.
9. A. Trinder - Just a wonderful jumps jockey.
10. S. Pateman - Ditto.
Least favourite (the fun part):
C. Williams
D. Beasley
M. Rodd (seeing as he is Lloyd's new babe I'll have to learn to like him)
J. Parr (a)
G. Boss
J. Benbow
RM Quinn
AW Robinson
AB Robinson
B. Melham (a)
D. Dunn
D. Moor
Any jockey in Adelaide
J. Didham
J. Cassidy
D. Brereton
N. Ryan
Ms A. Leek
Z. Purton
I'll start:
1. N. Callow - I love this guy. Incredibly strong and awesome in a finish. Not afraid to use the shillelagh vigorously if required. Great strike rate and can be backed with confidence. His biggest strengths are his ability in a tight finish, and he is an excellent front running rider. I love his ability to get a horse out of the machine quickly, and then get it to settle underneath him. Only weakness is he is not as good a rider on back markers.
2. C. Newitt - For much the same reasons as I like N. Callow - tremendously strong and ultra consistent. Only concern is his tendency to "not give horses every chance".
3. B. Shinn - Had a bit of a lean patch over the last year when he just seemed to be trying too hard. However, this season is in great form and riding heaps of winners. Great all round rider and exceptional talent - you have to be to win the Scobie as an apprentice. All things being equal he will be a top rider for 20 years.
4. M. Zahra - I love his soft hands. A lot of horses just seem to improve lengths when he rides them - very different style of rider to the first two.
5. G. Colless - This guy would be a star in any state of Australia.
6. D. Beadman - Can't ignore the prolific amount of winners he rides. The total package.
7. B. Rawiller - You don't have a bet in the country without checking where his name is.
8. L. Beer - Bit more obscure name but rides his fair share of good priced winners in the country.
9. A. Trinder - Just a wonderful jumps jockey.
10. S. Pateman - Ditto.
Least favourite (the fun part):
C. Williams
D. Beasley
M. Rodd (seeing as he is Lloyd's new babe I'll have to learn to like him)
J. Parr (a)
G. Boss
J. Benbow
RM Quinn
AW Robinson
AB Robinson
B. Melham (a)
D. Dunn
D. Moor
Any jockey in Adelaide
J. Didham
J. Cassidy
D. Brereton
N. Ryan
Ms A. Leek
Z. Purton