Saturday’s running of the Travis Harrison Cup is run over 1514 metres and is named in honour of the former apprentice jockey who was tragically killed in a car accident in May 1996.

Harrison was a cousin to leading Jockey Craig Williams and Williams puts the death of his cousin as a reason for his determination and success as a jockey.

The race is strictly for apprentice jockeys only and has become a feature during the winter months at Moonee Valley. The winning jockey is presented with a gold whip in honor of Travis, it’s a special race to win for any apprentice jockey.

This year we have a nice group of fillies and mares with quite a few chances. The Julie Scott trained Afterburn is going for her third win on end after impressive wins at Sandown at her last two starts. The Scott Stable is on fire at the moment after the successful return of stable star Tesbury Jack last week.

Afterburn to be ridden by Sebastian Murphy has had 16 starts for five wins and eight placings and will have to work hard to get over from her wide barrier (15) but Murphy is confident he can get her over and settle her before making his move.

A couple of dangers could be the Tony Noonan trained Jacqueline Rouge to be ridden by apprentice Logan McGill and with the three kilo claim really comes into the race with a huge chance and will be the subject of some big racing bets.

The daughter of former two year old speedster Northeast Sheila is back to fillies and mares class after running ninth in the listed winter championship heat.

David Hayes has the four year old Tahnee Tango in the race and with a firmer track should also run a nice race, as should the nicely bred mare Admiral’s Lady by super sire Danehill out of Moonstruck a daughter of Shirley Heights.

To be ridden by in form jockey William Hernan, she has the ride and with the claim and nice barrier should not be far away.