Blake Spriggs was the talk of Sydney racing after a five-win haul at Rosehill which had his boss Gai Waterhouse labelling him the most exciting apprentice since Shane Dye.Most of the attention in recent weeks has centred on the premiership battle between Nash Rawiller and Corey Brown but the glamour pair was forced to take a back seat to the 18-year-old at Rosehill.His wins on Crossbow, African Prince, Atomic Force, Mr Unforgettable and Miss Independent left him "lost for words".He became the fi

Blake Spriggs was the talk of Sydney racing after a five-win haul at Rosehill which had his boss Gai Waterhouse labelling him the most exciting apprentice since Shane Dye.

Most of the attention in recent weeks has centred on the premiership battle between Nash Rawiller and Corey Brown but the glamour pair was forced to take a back seat to the 18-year-old at Rosehill.

His wins on Crossbow, African Prince, Atomic Force, Mr Unforgettable and Miss Independent left him "lost for words".

He became the first apprentice since Jay Ford in July 2004 to ride five winners at a city meeting in Sydney, while Spriggs' manager Wayne Harris also achieved the feat on December 30, 1978.

"I'm speechless," Spriggs said as he returned to scale on Mr Unforgettable after posting his fourth win of the day - and first stakes win - in the Listed Winter Stakes (1500m).

"I'm struggling to talk and it's lucky I'm not riding tomorrow because I won't sleep tonight.

"To ride five winners is something you dream of, it's unbelievable, let alone riding a stakeswinner as well.

"To ride at the same class and level as Nash (Rawiller) and Corey (Brown) and to be able to do it without a claim is unbelievable."

The son of respected Newcastle jockey Dale Spriggs, Blake is currently riding on a three-month loan to Waterhouse who was effusive in her praise."

"He's the most exciting apprentice we've had in Sydney since Shane Dye," she said.

"He is a natural lightweight which is a big advantage these days.

"He rides 30 horses a morning in work, nothing is a problem and he is a joy to have anything to do with.

"I would love him to extend his stay with me and we will discuss it with his parents soon."

His opening victory on talented two-year-old Crossbow held plenty of significance as it was his first Saturday winner for Waterhouse since he made the move to Sydney.

His winning sequence also included a 20th metropolitan win to outride his 3kg city claim.

The apprentice was receiving rave reviews from all at the track, including Waterhouse and her number one stable rider Rawiller.

"It's outstanding," Rawiller said.

"It couldn't come at a better time for him having just reduced his claim, and it's an outstanding effort to ride five city winners whether you are a claiming apprentice or a senior rider.

"I'm very proud of him, he's a good kid."

Chris Waller, trainer of both African Prince and Miss Independent, said the Rosehill meeting was the first time Spriggs had had rides for him on a Saturday.

"She missed the jump and he put her in the box seat," Waller said after Miss Independent brought up the young gun's fifth triumph.

"It takes a good jockey to do that. It takes a good apprentice to win a Listed race without a claim, and it takes an exceptional apprentice to win five races at Rosehill. Amazing."