Luximon continues busy schedule with NARS heats at Strathalbyn
Alice Springs apprentice Ianish Luximon has certainly boosted his frequent-flyer portfolio this past week.
Representing the NT in heat two of the National Apprentice Race Series (NARS) in Perth last Wednesday, the 25-year-old arrived home before riding at the St Patrick’s Day races in Darwin on Saturday.
He caught an early flight on Sunday for the St Patrick’s Day meeting in Alice Springs and boards another flight on Tuesday for heat four of the NARS at Strathalbyn in South Australia on Wednesday.
“I would say it has been more hectic, than tiring,” Luximon, who hails from Mauritius, said.
Riding in WA for the first time for the two legs at Belmont, Luximon dead-heated for seventh on the Daniel and Ben Pearce-trained Celebrity Wines ($7.50) over 1600m (Class 5) before coming 10th on the Tara Itzstein-trained President Sam over 2100m (RTG54).
It was a win for WA apprentice Brayden Gaerth in the first leg on Lou Luciani’s Comealilbitcloser ($5.50), with Victorian apprentice Hannah Edgley winning the second leg on Deane Skipworth’s Magic Whistle ($9.50).
After three sets of heats, Victoria (30) leads the way from WA (26), Queensland (24), Tasmania (22), SA (20) and NT (5) in the NARS standings.
After completing track work, last Tuesday was a long day for Luximon after boarding a flight bound for Sydney before catching a second flight to Perth.
“Perth was good, the hospitality was great and I caught up with friends,” he said.
“I walked the track with John Claite, who is from Mauritius, and Peter Hall, who helped me out in Perth, and with the other apprentices.
“Very long back straight and very long home straight.
“Track felt very different, I haven’t ridden on the turf for a while, so it was a good experience.
“I got the chance to meet William Pike, he knew me well when he normally came to ride in the (Singapore Gold) Cup during my time in Singapore.
“The way they ride in the race in WA is very slow and they also ride very tight.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t have the right horses to have a good run, but the trainers were happy with my rides.
“I did what they asked me to do – that’s what I think is more important.
“Then I had to fly back home via Adelaide to ride in Darwin on Saturday and Alice on Sunday – it was a very busy week.”
Luximon had five rides at Fannie Bay on Saturday for a win on Phil Cole’s $26 outsider Turnstar and a second on Cole’s $4.80 hope Vunivalu behind Fromthenevernever.
Darwin R5 replay | 18/3/2023 | Turnstar (1st)
He picked up two extra rides when fellow apprentice Emma Lines was injured after falling from her mount earlier in the day.
Back at Pioneer Park on Sunday, Kevin Lamprecht’s apprentice also had five rides for two seconds – which included the St Patrick’s Day Cup (1600m) on Will Savage’s Fantasy Eagle ($12).
“I’m getting very good support from Phil Cole and Gary Clarke in Darwin,” Luximon said.
“I know Turnstar pretty well, I had ridden him twice and Phil said ‘you know what to do’.
“He ran well for Wayne Davis on a wet track, it rained on Saturday, so I think that was to my advantage in the race.
“Vunivalu was unlucky, I had to do too much work with a wide gate to lead, it could have been a double for me, but the better horse beat me.
“Phil was very happy with the ride, so as long as he’s happy I’m good with it.
“Lethal Encounter was too good in the Cup on Sunday, but Fantasy Eagle had a lot of dirt in his face and he just didn’t want to run.”
Luximon, formerly based in Tasmania, is off to Strathalbyn for heat three of the NARS, where he will partner Mick Huxtable’s Family Addition over 1350m (BM60) and Grant Young’s Foreign Legion over 1600m (BM58).
After getting a taste for the turf once again in Perth, Luximon is adamant that he will be better prepared on this occasion and is convinced the SA excursion will only improve his riding.
He will be accompanied to Strathalbyn by Thoroughbred Racing NT board member Greg Aldam, who also has a long and successful association with the Lamprecht stable as an owner.
“Greg will fly down from Darwin and meet me in Alice before we leave for Strathalbyn,” Luximon said.
“I got in contact with Lisa Whittle a bit too late otherwise she would have given me rides, but I didn’t know she would have runners at Strathalbyn on Wednesday.
“When she needed an apprentice she normally put me on when she was in Alice.
“I know a few jockeys there – Callan Murray, he’s one of my best mates, I’ve known him for a long time.
“I also know Sairyn Fawke – he came here for the (Alice Springs Cup) Carnival and we are very good friends.”
Once returning home, Luximon will cap off yet another busy week by riding in Darwin on Friday and Alice Springs on Saturday.