It's a far cry from the Melbourne Cup but Sydney's premier apprentice Peter Wells is looking forward to jumping on Kirra Sand in Thursday's Group Three Hawkesbury Cup.Wells was in the frame to ride the Paul Perry-trained Newport in the Melbourne Cup after winning on him in the Group One Metropolitan Handicap last month.But Perry opted for the more experienced Chris Symons who rode the horse to 10th at Flemington on Tuesday and Wells, rather than wallow in the disappointment of missing the Cup ri

It's a far cry from the Melbourne Cup but Sydney's premier apprentice Peter Wells is looking forward to jumping on Kirra Sand in Thursday's Group Three Hawkesbury Cup.

Wells was in the frame to ride the Paul Perry-trained Newport in the Melbourne Cup after winning on him in the Group One Metropolitan Handicap last month.

But Perry opted for the more experienced Chris Symons who rode the horse to 10th at Flemington on Tuesday and Wells, rather than wallow in the disappointment of missing the Cup ride, is getting on with business and focusing on Thursday's 1600-metre assignment.

"I understood the reasons for the decision with Newport and have just been looking to the future," Wells said.

Wells rode at Moonee Valley last Friday and booted home a winner for Perry on Cup day at Randwick with Deleque scoring impressively.

And he rates the Jason Coyle-trained Kirra Sand a huge chance in the $130,000 Hawkesbury Cup.

The meeting is held in conjunction with Oaks day at Flemington and, like its Melbourne counterpart, a bumper crowd is expected for Ladies' Day at the track northwest of Sydney.

Kirra Sand, an O'Reilly mare who is owned by big-spending Nathan Tinkler, won last start at Canterbury over 1550 metres and six of her seven career wins have been over Thursday's trip.

"I haven't ridden her yet but from what I have seen she is a very honest type and a very gutsy horse too," Wells said.

"And when you combine the fact that she is a real fighter with the fact she has her fair share of ability, it points to her being a great chance.

"Hawkesbury is a track that lends itself to tougher horses that can maintain a longer run if they have to and so she also has that in her favour."

Wells' Metropolitan Handicap win on Newport came at his first ride in a Group One race and he believes the Hawkesbury Cup would be a great addition to his resume.

"It's a race that sneaks under the radar this time of year and certainly one that I am really hoping to win," Wells said.

Leading Queensland jockey Glen Colless has been booked to ride the Jack Denham-trained topweight Nuclear Sky in the Cup.

Colless has enjoyed a successful association with Denham over the years and usually rides for the Rosehill trainer when he takes horses to Brisbane.