3 minute read

Northern riding ace Ben Looker - who recently surpassed a phenomenal 1000 careers wins - confronts a tough Murwillumbah TAB meeting on Thursday with a near full book but largely without his major ally.

Ben and his wife Priscilla are Northern Rivers racing institutions and while Priscilla, a former accomplished rider, is tipping super as a respected Sky Racing analyst, her duties don't extend as far north as Murwillumbah.

"We do our own thing with the form and speed maps, don't talk much racing at home to keep a balance, but she's doing a really good job," Ben explained.

Priscilla sure is. In recent seasons she's peaked at an amazing 30%-win rate.

Meanwhile, Ben rode a double at Coffs Harbour on Sunday but a rare "zero" at Taree on Tuesday, swings the odds for a bounce back.

Ben has naturally done his homework where punters are confronted by maiden, BM 58 races, debutants, lightly raced maidens and restricted graders.

He rides contenders in most where Northern Rivers, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast stables oppose gallopers from Ipswich, Beaudesert and Eagle Farm. Hence complicated form lines.

Ben's best appears to be My Miss Moonpie ($7.50 on TAB) in the third event (White Claw F&m Maiden Handicap, 1100m), Beg Me  ($4.60) in the following race (The Riv Bistro Class 1 & Maiden Plate, 2020m) and Managua ($7.50) in race six (Fuzion Tiling Cg&e Bm58 Handicap, 1200m).

"Managua has nice ability I actually won a maiden on him at Grafton a couple of years back, but just five starts at five, suggests he's had issues. But I trialled him here recently and he went well enough for this grade."

While the minus for Beg Me is just the one maiden win from 29 starts Ben is positive.

"I've ridden him his past couple, placings solid enough for a maiden and Class 1, he'll be on-pace from the draw and his Grafton second was a BM 58.

"My Miss Moonpie is well graded off placings in stronger maidens on the Gold Coast, she races on-pace."

Murwillumbah is a tight and turning 1600m circumference with a 282m straight.

"I've ridden a lot at Murwillumbah, can be tricky, important to be drawn well and put them straight away into the race."

The track at present is a Good 4 in fine weather.