Australian riding looks to be in good hands for the future judging by the apprentices on show at Morphettville last Saturday.
Headed by Victorian young gun Mitch Aitken with a double, the juniors won six of the nine races, with Emily Finnegan, Krystal Bishop, Chris Casertra and Sairyn Fawke also gracing the winner’s stall.
Aitken won on the Jarrod McLean-trainer Instrumentalist ($4.40) in the benchmark 64 Wolf Blass Wines Handicap (2500m) and the Patrick Payne-trained Chamois Road ($2.25 favourite) in the benchmark 90 C.A. Haigh Memorial Trophy (1200m).  
Todd closes in
Senior rider Todd Pannell shared the honours with Aitken, landing a running double to close in on Jamie Kah at the top of the Adelaide premiership.
Reigning premier Kah was again riding with success in Melbourne last Saturday and remains on 16 Adelaide wins for the season. Pannell is now a clear second on 14.
Teaming with in-form local trainer Will Clarken, Pannell landed the first leg of his double when Sudden Wealth ($9.50) resumed with a win in the benchmark 70 Zonte’s Z Force Handicap (1200m).
 Pannell completed his running double when the Mark Minervini-trained fourth emergency Military Forces ($8.50) won the benchmark 64 Consolidated Plant & Quarries Handicap (1100m).
Bright start
Well done to apprentice Alice Lindsay on notching her first double at just her third and fourth race rides.
Lindsay combined with her master, Ryan Balfour, to score on Infinity Queen and Ogunde at Murray Bridge last Thursday.
Kah stars
After riding Dollar For Dollar to victory in the Group 3 Sandown Stakes (1500m) at Ladbrokes Park last Saturday for Tony McEvoy, Jamie Kah was the star of last Sunday’s Vignerons Cup day meeting at Strathalbyn.
She rode a quartet of winners — Daktari ($5), Artistic Escape ($2.60 favourite), Emmooki’s Dash ($6) and Stryker Fortune ($4.60) — for Michael O’Leary, John Macmillan, Soctt Whittle and Grant Kluske respectively.
Apprentice Anna Jordsjo was also among the winners, scoring on Picture Me Rolling ($3.50 favourite) for Jake Stephens and Iron Max ($10) for Michael Vassallo.
Richard Jolly took the training honours with a double. Both his winners, Ashady Hussy ($5.50) and Angel’s Wish ($3.80), were ridden by Paul Gatt.