Osmond flourishes during northern escape

By Glenn Davis

All good things come to an end, but for apprentice Benjamin Osmond - it’s a question of when.

With time running out on his apprenticeship, Osmond pulled the right rein to head to Queensland during the Sydney autumn carnival.

The 26-year-old Osmond has based himself at trainer Kris Lees' Gold Coast stables and landed his first winner since leaving NSW aboard Power Of The Brave in a 1000 metre Benchmark race at the Sunshine Coast in late January.

Since then, Osmond has won a host of races, including in the city for his boss Lees and Doomben trainer Bruce Brown while Chris Waller, Jack Bruce and Chris and Corey Munce have supported him during his Queensland stint.

“I’m not sure exactly, but I’ve ridden about 15 winners since I came here,” Osmond said.

Osmond’s apprenticeship was due to expire at the end of May, but he recently gained approval for an extension.

“I originally came here for three months, but I’m really liking my time here so I might stay a bit longer,” Osmond said.

“I don’t have any set date to return home and I’ve just been granted an extension on my apprenticeship.

“I’ve got no idea when I might go back but Kris (Lees) is fine with me staying up here.

“I’m probably leaning more to staying here until my time expires in September and I might even stay here and ride when I’m a senior.”

Osmond booted home his latest winner Crathie Kirk for Lees at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday after scoring aboard the Paula Campbell-trained All Too Foxy at Warwick last Thursday.

Osmond hails from Dungog, which is about an hour’s drive from Newcastle.

“I grew up in Dungog and did a lot of pony club, rodeo and some campdrafting when I was young,” Osmond said.

“When I finished school, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. One day I rang Racing NSW and they put me on to Kris Lees about starting an apprenticeship and it went on from there.”

Osmond was confident All Too Foxy would be hard to beat in her assignment in the 1200 metre Ratings Band 0 - 55 Handicap at Warwick.

“She went well when I rode her in a barrier trial at the Gold Coast last month and I thought she would be hard to beat at Warwick,” he said.