Apprentice jockey Jaylah Kennedy sticking with Berkeley Square in the 2024 Bendigo Cup

Opportunities dry up for apprentices during the Victorian carnival as competition for rides peaks with the influx of overseas and interstate riders for the big races.

Kennedy and her ilk cannot use their weight claim in stakes races, forcing them to rely on loyalty from owners and trainers for chances to ride in the big races.

Wednesday’s $500,000 Bendigo Cup is one such time.

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Kennedy’s master Dan O’Sullivan has again stuck with Kennedy to ride Berkeley Square after the apprentice rode the smart galloper at his last run in the Group 3 Coongy Cup.

The pair finished second, leading to Kennedy keeping the ride in the Group 3 Bendigo Cup.

Kennedy drew public praise from O’Sullivan for her brave tactics when winning on Way Up High on Geelong Cup Day, showing she can ride in front of the bigger crowds.

“It’s a tough time of the year, the spring so you take every ride you can get,” Kennedy said.

“But I feel like I’m riding well enough and giving them all their chance, it’s just a matter of getting on the best one on the day.

“Even just to be out and riding on these big days with the great atmosphere, it’s an unreal experience.”

Kennedy had a levelling weekend, chasing the big money at The Valley on Friday night before heading to St Arnaud for the third tier meeting on Cox Plate Day.

However, she said she made the most of riding at the more relaxed setting on Saturday.

“I had a great day out at St Arnaud. I was out there doing the running races with the little kids and it was a nice, relaxed environment,” Kennedy said.

“It was a good change of scenery and it was great to be able to get back out and have a day out in the country.”

But it will be all business on Berkeley Square in the Bendigo Cup.

Berkeley Square has not raced beyond 2000m since running sixth in the 2022 Victoria Derby.

Kennedy said the distance was a slight unknown but getting onto the spacious Bendigo circuit would suit the gelding.

“He’s definitely going well and it will be interesting to see him at 2400m,” Kennedy said.

“If we get a tempo and he switches off the distance isn’t going to be an issue but, at the same time, he’s racing really brilliantly.

“He’s a pretty big boy and he needs his room. Hopefully, we’ll get a good guideline on what his distance range could be for the rest of the prep.”

Ladbrokes rated Berkeley Square a $6.50 chance in early Bendigo Cup betting.

Originally published as Apprentice jockey Jaylah Kennedy sticking with Berkeley Square in the 2024 Bendigo Cup