3 minute read

Popular NSW country rider Jake Pracey-Holmes is putting himself through the ringer in a bid to ride in the Country Cups Challenge Final while also helping out a couple of close mates.

The 33-year-old will make the lengthy trip to Emerald in Central Queensland on Saturday to partner Knife's Edge for local horsewoman Glenda Bell.

For Jake Pracey-Holmes to head to Emerald from his Gulgong base – which is just outside of Mudgee - it is a serious effort within itself.

But, if you take into account all the riding he needs to do either side of the regional Queensland trip – it is borderline bonkers what the smiling hoop is doing.

Pracey-Holmes is riding at Orange on Thursday before making the long drive to Emerald alongside James Carolan, who owns a decent share in Knife's Edge.

He then will ride at Coonamble Jockey Club on Sunday on the way home before taking engagements at Tamworth on Monday.

The hard-working hoop is taking it all in his stride as he aims to ride a ton of winners in the 2024-25 campaign for the first time in his career.

Pracey-Holmes was aboard Knife's Edge at Cairns two starts back and he believes the galloper has the quality to land in the CCC decider in late November. 

"I will then go up and ride him in the Final," a confident Pracey-Holmes said.

"I think he will just win on Saturday and then I will wait for the Country Cups and then we will go up there and have a crack at them.

"You never know with races and trips away like this, doors may open for me and my riding.

"You need to be at the right place at the right time. I reckon he will beat them on Saturday."

The Country Cups Challenge Final is worth $200,000 and is run over 1600 metres at Doomben on November 30. 

The CCC heat on Saturday also doubles as the feature Emerald 100. 

Pracey-Holmes has done some riding in the Sunshine State during his career but trips north have been rare.

He has floated around South East Queensland a few times as well as the recent Cannon Park adventure.

But, he will be heading to the non-TAB grass surface of Emerald for the first time this week.

Carolan has owned the galloper during his previous stops with trainers Luke Morgan and Garry Lunn, which started the connection with Pracey-Holmes.

He owns the horse alongside former trainer Morgan, who is based at Tamworth.

"I have known him for a long time and his old man in Dubbo," the travelling hoop said of Carolan.

"He is taking me up there and I will ride the horse for him. He is doing a lot of driving for this trip."

In an attempt to land in the $200,000 Final, Knife's Edge lines up in the Country Cups Challenge qualifier over 1850 metres at Emerald on Saturday.

Pracey-Holmes has had one race day sit on Bell's stayer when they finished third during the Amateurs carnival in FNQ in the middle of last month.

The eight-year-old gelding came from deep in the field to finish a touch over a length behind the winner.

"I thought it was a good run," Pracey-Holmes said.

"He was trained for the 2000 metres but he ended up going around in the 1500 metre race and he was hitting the line as well as the winner and the horse that finished second.

"He would have won if there was another 50 yards after the post."

The popular country jockey is coming off his best season in the saddle having steered home 68 winners last term.

As well as the ride of Knife's Edge in the Emerald 100, Pracey-Holmes takes four other bookings for local trainer Bell on the card.

Knife's Edge has not missed the money in four starts since transferring to Bell's barn, including a last start victory on her home deck at Pioneer Park racecourse over 1615 metres late last month.

Bell has claimed the Emerald 100 as a trainer and jockey earlier in her career when Pimpala Player won the race back in 2006.