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By Ray Hickson

Leading apprentice Tyler Schiller says he’ll need to be consistent, and avoid suspension or injury, to fulfil his ambition to win the Sydney Apprentices Premiership.

Apprentice Tyler Schiller (Pic: Bradley Photos)

The 23-year-old has an eight win lead over Reece Jones with reigning champ Tom Sherry one win further afield with just over three months left in the season – but with the carnival over it’s the chance for apprentices to step into the limelight.

Opportunities through the carnival were limited for Schiller, though he did win the Albury Cup on Harmony Rose for his boss Mark Newnham and had his first Group 1 rides.

“What I did get was a bit of experience, to watch the top jockeys prepare for the big race days,’’ he said.

“Things are starting to build back up with the claiming races coming back around so hopefully we can get some momentum.

“I’d love to win a premiership, Mark’s had the last three and I’d love to add to the list. With the lead I’ve got hopefully I can just maintain it each week.”

Schiller’s headline ride at Randwick on Saturday is Joe Pride’s honest galloper Taksu in The Agency Handicap (1400m) and he’ll be out to turn the tables on O’President for their clash at Newcastle back on March 28.

The six-year-old was an easy all the way winner at Rosehill on a heavy track two weeks earlier and Schiller likes the set up for the return bout.

“He’s a bit of a difficult horse but I’ve had a bit of luck on him and I’m happy Joe’s kept me on him because I really like the horse,’’ he said.

“Being drawn eight is better for him than one, he can take his time to get across and sit outside the lead if he can’t get across. It would take away that hanging he can do in the straight.

“He doesn’t have to lead, he showed first-up he can sit behind them and make up ground.

"I’d love to have a sit on him and let him chase something, and savage the line.”

Taksu, $3.80 with TAB on Friday, has a 2kg weight advantage over O’President for a three-quarter length defeat.

Dragonstone is also in receipt of a decent weight turnaround as he attempts to make up a six length margin on Andermatt when they meet again in the Furphy Handicap (1100m).

Taksu runs second at Newcastle on March 28

There’s a 6kg swing in Dragonstone’s favour, after he ran second at Canterbury on April 6, and Schiller said that gives him a fighting chance.

“I think he was just a bit off in his last couple of runs but he feels super in trackwork now so I think he’s back to his best,’’ he said.

“The pace of the race will play a big part of it, the rail being out 11m is going to be a bit tough.

“If he can keep in contact and ride for luck a bit more hopefully he can get a bit closer before he has to completely come off the bridle.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Randwick meeting