Wingatui apprentice Corey Campbell is not worried about fuss and fanfare. He just wants to ride more winners.
The White Robe Lodge apprentice, who heads the national apprentice riders premiership, will be in action at the Kurow meeting tomorrow.
Campbell has been the focus of much talk in racing circles after he was left out of a team of up-and-coming riders for an invitational series at Ellerslie, earlier this month.
But that has not troubled the talented hoop.
"It is just one of those things. It is what happens with South Island racing. There is not a lot you can do about it," Campbell said.
It has been reported that the Auckland Racing Club will offer Campbell an invitation to ride at another Ellerslie meeting to make up for his snubbing.
However, the rider has not received an official invitation.
"I haven't heard a thing from them, actually."
Campbellhas seven rides tomorrow.
He rates Hey Micky in race 4 as one of his best chances.
"Hey Micky should be a really good chance. He had absolutely no luck at Ashburton last time [when running seventh eight days ago]."
Splendior, in race 3, was another big hope.
"She is a very good horse. she just does a few things wrong, but hopefully from the nice draw [2] she will put herself there and do things right."
Campbell rated Our Boy Richie a decent place chance in race 7.
He also rides Maximus Decimus in race 1, Zayzay in race 2, Feel The Breeze in race 5 and Bachata in race 8.
The Kurow Cup is dominated by apprentices, but, surprisingly, Campbell does not have a ride.
Apprentice claims are set to boost the chances of several runners in the 1400m feature.
He's Gold will carry just 50.5kg in the $25,000 feature as apprentice Gee Saejorhor can claim 4kg.
The Danny Champion and Kezia Murphy-trained 8yr-old went an excellent race at Cromwell on December 2 when only denied late by the classy Kiwi Ida.
He also ran third in open company at the New Zealand Cup carnival.
He's Gold has had one start at Kurow, in 2016, when he won over 1400m.
Race rival Montoya Star is also unbeaten on the track. In-form apprentice Kavish Chowdhoory will claim 4kg off the Michael and Matthew Pitman-trained mare who will carry 52.5kg.
Tomorrow's race is a massive step back in class from the elite company the mare was racing in earlier this year.
Montoya Star has had two runs over 1200m this campaign and should be ready to run a big race over 1400m tomorrow.
Waimate Bill also gets in to the Kurow Cup with a featherweight thanks to Amless Bohorun's 3kg claim.
The Stephen Blair-Edie trained galloper will face his toughest test after winning his last start at Ascot Park.
Last-start Gore winner Five Kings is another who gets into the Kurow Cup with a light weight. The 9yr-old will carry just 51kg with Rahul Beeharry's 3kg claim.
Two key runners in the Kurow Cup will not get weight relief from apprentice riders.
Group race performer Son Of Maher, who ran into Te Akau Shark in the Coupland's Mile at Riccarton three starts ago, will carry 60kg with Jacob Lowry doing the honours.
He Kin Fly will carry 54kg with senior rider Terry Moseley aboard.
