Keen fisherman Matthew Palmer is hoping for a big catch at Eagle Farm on Saturday.The 22-year-old apprentice, who loves to throw in a line at his canal home on the Gold Coast, will outride his claim if he can land his first city treble.Palmer, who lives with his parents, jockey Gary and Debbie Palmer, is just three wins away from forfeiting his 1.5 kilogram claim.It's a big feat for any apprentice to win a treble at a metropolitan meeting but Palmer has a strong book and could achieve the feat i
Keen fisherman Matthew Palmer is hoping for a big catch at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The 22-year-old apprentice, who loves to throw in a line at his canal home on the Gold Coast, will outride his claim if he can land his first city treble.
Palmer, who lives with his parents, jockey Gary and Debbie Palmer, is just three wins away from forfeiting his 1.5 kilogram claim.
It's a big feat for any apprentice to win a treble at a metropolitan meeting but Palmer has a strong book and could achieve the feat in the opening three races.
Palmer has a full book of eight rides on Saturday's program and can get off to a flying start in his quest to outride his claim when he partners exciting youngster Temple Of Boom in the Copperama Handicap (1000m).
Temple Of Boom, a son of Piccolo, raised a few eyebrows with his explosive victory in the Magic Millions Prelude (900m) at the Gold Coast on January 3.
The youngster cruised to a near four-length victory on debut and could book a trip to Sydney for the $3.5 million Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill in April if he wins comfortably.
Palmer will then be legged aboard the Gerald Ryan-trained pair Hunters Moon in the Romantic Dream Handicap (1800m) and Pyramids in the Luskin Star Handicap (1400m).
"I've ridden dozens of trebles at the provincials and quite a few doubles in the city but I've never ridden a metropolitan treble," said Palmer.
"I think Temple Of Boom is a very exciting prospect and Hunters Moon is a good ride and Pyramids' form is faultless."
Palmer returned to Queensland to ride last year after a stint in Sydney where he almost won the apprentices' title.
Ryan is confident both Hunters Moon and Pyramids can be competitive and also gives Palmer a chance of winning aboard Hy Dream in the Scomeld Handicap (1600m).
"It's a step up in class for Hunters Moon but it doesn't look a strong race for him," Ryan said.
"Pyramids is going terrific. He's always shown me ability and if he wins he'll go into open company."
Hunters Moon was originally trained by John Hawkes and then Chris Waller before the latter sent him to Queensland to campaign.
The five-year-old was placed at Doomben in his first start for Ryan last month before scoring an easy seven-length win in an 1800-metre class six on a heavy track at the Gold Coast on January 3.
Hy Dream has failed in three starts this campaign including a last-start eighth in class six company at the Gold Coast on January 3.
"It was only 1400 metres last time and he'll appreciate going to the mile and a firmer track," Ryan said.
Pyramids has won four of his last five starts in Queensland and is trained at Ryan's satellite stable at Murwillumbah in northern NSW.
Ryan opened the stable last November and has a great strike rate with seven winners from his small number in work.