Racehorse TALK

Friday, 4 December 2009: In-form apprentice Jason Maskiell is in hot demand at Caulfield tomorrow – so much so he has been booked for two horses in the CFV Community Connection Plate.

Maskiell, who claims 3kg, has been engaged for his master Mick Price on topweight Tango's Choice and also, according to trainer Lee Freedman, for Scenica.

According to Racing Victoria chief steward Terry Bailey both trainers are laying claim to having booked the rider and he hopes the matter will be sorted through shortly.

“He's apprenticed to Mick Price who is laying claim to him and Lee Freedman believes he has a firm booking through his agent,” Bailey said.

“He's riding well and claims three kilos so he's in demand. The matter is yet to be resolved and we'll make a ruling on it hopeful by the end of the day.”

Freedman is keen to take the 3kg off the 58kg of former Argentinean mare Scenica, who ran well at her first run for Freedman when fifth over 1000m at Moonee Valley.

Raced by Paul Makin, the mare is a Grade 1 winner in Argentina at just her second career start and Freedman believes the extra ground is a big plus tomorrow.

Price is also keen to take some weight off the 59kg of Tango's Choice, who continues to race well but tomorrow has her first try at 1200m.

Maskiell's other mounts include Umanugget, Dancescape, Journeyman, Timetable and Fast Future.

The former Tasmanian is currently equal seventh on the Melbourne jockeys premiership on 12 city wins but boasts one of the best winning strike-rates