Top apprentice Brayden Gaerth lands Group ride in 2025 Belmont Sprint

Brayden Gaerth is eyeing the biggest win of his riding career when he teams up with Admiration Express in Saturday’s Group 3 Belmont Sprint (1400m), fresh from a double at Belmont and a breakthrough $100,000 race victory.

Gaerth will ride the Jason Miller-trained mare, who is resuming from a spell after finishing second in the Group 1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) in December, her last run before a well-earned break.

With regular jockey Lucy Fiore aboard stablemate West Star in the same race, Miller had no hesitation in giving the in-form apprentice a shot.

“I’m happy to put him on,” Miller told Racing WA. “He’s doing a good job and works hard behind the scenes as well. His confidence is high.”

Admiration Express was a standout last season, winning the Champion Fillies Stakes and performing strongly against the best in WA.

After two warm-up trials at Lark Hill, she begins her winter preparation on Saturday, with the Hyperion Stakes and Strickland Stakes also part of her campaign path. Fiore will reunite with the mare in those races.

“She’s done really well since the trials,” Miller said. “She’s had a good break and has come back good. She might be a bit vulnerable at 1400m first-up, but I wouldn't write her off.”

Meanwhile, stablemate Admire The Girl chases a third win in a row in Wednesday’s Kalgoorlie-Boulder Reunion Handicap at Belmont with William Pike to ride.

“She’s going well,” Miller said. “But it’s a strong race. Nickleplay and Magnique are the ones to beat.”

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