Local apprentice Amelia Denby has a hard act to follow when she rides Ebony Strange for trainer Tim Ryan at Gate Pa tomorrow. The ride on the one-race winner in the New World Mount Maunganui 2170 will be just the second raceday mount for Denby and comes just three days afterthe 19-year-old made a perfect start to her career. Apprenticed to Jim Pender, Denby was successful aboard another local galloper Duke (trained by Brian McKeagg), at odds of better than 36-1, in the Northern Wairoa Hotel Apprentice Cup. With the victory came a stunning trophy and for Denby it was a thrill she will never forget. ``I travelled up with the owners Noelene and William Bishop and they weren't expecting a lot,'' said Denby. ``They'd bought the horse as a cheapy and didn't expect him to do much. It was a surprise for us all.'' Duke had only shown one glimpse of form previously and that was when second in his first trial. He had been unplaced in two other trials and finished 14th of 15 on debut at Paeroa and 13th of 17 at Te Aroha. Denby had been given specific instructions from McKeagg to sit out wide and up near the front and keep Duke balanced. ``I followed the instructions and turning for home when he had his nose in front I got a bit confident, but then the horse inside me wouldn't go away,'' said Denby. In the end Duke scored by a long neck from the favourite China Doll. Denby is a Tauranga girl and did the pony club and showjumping scene before becoming an apprentice. ``I went to the Horse of the Year seven times and had a mare that I was placed in the Junior Rider competition on,'' said Denby. ``I've been working for Jim Pender for four years now and learnt a lot.''
