Apprentice Mitchell Wood will be hoping to bring his outstanding provincial form to the city at Doomben on Wednesday.Wood grabbed some rare winter carnival limelight off the successful interstate invaders by riding five winners at the Gold Coast last Saturday.The 17-year-old is apprenticed to Eagle Farm trainer Kelly Schweida and has five rides at Doomben.Wood is believed to be the first apprentice to have ridden five winners at the Gold Coast.The feat has been achieved at the Bundall track in t

Apprentice Mitchell Wood will be hoping to bring his outstanding provincial form to the city at Doomben on Wednesday.

Wood grabbed some rare winter carnival limelight off the successful interstate invaders by riding five winners at the Gold Coast last Saturday.

The 17-year-old is apprenticed to Eagle Farm trainer Kelly Schweida and has five rides at Doomben.

Wood is believed to be the first apprentice to have ridden five winners at the Gold Coast.

The feat has been achieved at the Bundall track in the past by senior riders Les Harris, Arron Kennedy, Ken Russell and Neil Williams.

Wood's winners were Valiant Heart, Carry Me Baby, Emid, Chaste and Action Replay.

Wood hails from a well-known Queensland racing family which Schweida attributes to his success.

His father Mark and brother Justin are jockeys and his grandfather Barry was a jockey and trainer.

"He's got a good family life which is a big plus for him," Schweida said.

"His parents have kept him on the straight and narrow but I'm reserving my judgment until he turns 18 which is still eight months away.

"A lot of kids go wrong after they reach that age when they discover alcohol and girls."

Schweida believes Wood has a bright future if he can stay focused on his riding career.

"He's a talent and the best thing he has going for him is horses run for him," he said.

Wood set himself the goal of claiming the Gold Coast apprentices' title in his first season riding.

He has an unassailable 14-win lead over Ashley Butler and has moved to second behind runaway leader Daniel Griffin in the jockeys' premiership.

Wood's riding record to date stands at 43 wins, including 31 this season at the Coast.

In the metropolitan area Wood has ridden two winners, both for his boss Schweida, from 11 rides.

Wood's best rides at Doomben appear to be in the final three races aboard Townsville-trained Pacific Highway (Bollinger Plate), Catallion (Woolworths Handicap) and Sequalo Morn in the www.brc.Com.Au Handicap.

The Trevor Bailey-trained Catallion hasn't started for nearly a month after being held up for a run when an unlucky third to Fantastic Force in a 1400-metre race for three-year-olds at the Gold Coast on May 27.