Madeleine Wishart to ride for Queensland

Apprentice Maddy Wishart has shown she is good under pressure and she will get another chance to prove it in the fourth round of the National Apprentices’ Challenge.

Wishart, who is indentured to Group One-winning trainer Paul Butterworth at Eagle Farm, has ridden 46 winners, 27 this season.

She is Queensland’s nominated rider for the apprentices race at Strathalbyn in South Australia on Wednesday.

Star Adelaide rider Raquel Clark breathed new life into the Challenge with her win at Doomben last week as the series heads towards an exciting finish.

Queensland looked to have the series at its mercy until Clark brought up her 100th winner for the season with a dashing ride on Dream Kisses.

The final two rounds of the Challenge will be held at Strathalbyn and Sandown in Melbourne over the next two weeks.

After the Doomben heat Queensland lead on 17 points but Victoria (13) and South Australia (10) are in striking distance.

Wishart has drawn the Chris Bieg-trained Raheeba in the 1350m-race and will have to overcome barrier 14.

Racing Queensland’s jockey coach Shane Scriven said the series had been running since 2008 but this year’s had been one of the most exciting.

“It is a great opportunity for young riders to see how things are done in other states,” he said.