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By Ray Hickson

It’s probably another six months before Mitch Stapleford wants to be a regular fixture in the city apprentice ranks but he’s keen to make an impact in the biggest race he’s been involved in at Randwick on Saturday.

Mitch Stapleford has his sights set on the Four Pillars on Saturday. (Pic: Bradley Photos).

While there’s $10 million up for grabs in the feature Golden Eagle, Stapleford has his sights set on guiding the John Sargent-trained Vetwelve home in the $500,000 Four Pillars Midway (1500m).

Earlier this month, the 23-year-old who has been based with Joe Pride for the past five months, notched his 100th career winner and in September had his first ride in a Group race, on Dollar Magic for his former boss Scott Singleton.

“It’s hard to get opportunities in town let alone in a race worth $500,000, but Sarge has been really good to me,’’ Stapleford said.

“I’ve started to go in and ride trackwork for him once a week to try and give back to him.

“I’m very excited to be able to ride Vetwelve and I hope I’m able to put in a good one for John and his owners.”

The grandson of Central Coast legend Albert Stapleford rode Vetwelve to victory at Kembla Grange back in July and Sargent gave him the ride at Rosehill three weeks ago as a precursor to the Four Pillars where his 3kg comes in handy.

Vetwelve was runner-up to Modella, who is contesting the Golden Eagle, in a 1400m Midway on that day and it backed up his handy third behind Four Pillars rivals Meridiana and Alabama State a fortnight earlier.

Stapleford said straight after the last start second his first thought was all about hoping Modella wouldn’t be in the Four Pillars.

“I did a bit of the donkey work for Modella who was able to get a nice drag into it and come off my back and be strong late,’’ he said.

“We landed in a nice spot without having done too much work. They probably rolled along at a pace I wish they’d gone a touch slower.

“I was really happy with his run and the way he’s prepping up it seems like a good time to be targeting this race.”

The four-year-old drew ideally as far as Stapleford is concerned in gate seven considering it’s a capacity field of 18.

“I love that he’s quick out of the barriers, it takes out a bit of luck early knowing you’re going to be in the first few in the field,’’ he said.

“He settles really nicely, he’s a well mannered horse and easy to get along with. He’s an easy horse to ride I guess, I should be able to get into a nice spot early and if I can have a pinch of luck at the right time I think he’s going to be a great chance.”

If he’s to win on Saturday it won’t change Stapleford’s trajectory, only boost the confidence, as he says he has more time to put into outriding his provincial claim.

He's 16 away from reducing it to 1.5kg so there's still a way to go.

Vetwelve runs second at Rosehill on October 11

“I’d love to, by winter time this season, be able to transition from the provincials into metro racing,’’ he said.

“I still have 2kg at the provincials and plenty of winners to ride there.

“But when an opportunity like this presents itself, and he’s not making up the numbers, that’s the main reason I’m ditching the provincials this week to ride him.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Golden Eagle meeting at Randwick