Byrne's gruelling regimen to make Straddie weight

Jim Byrne is swimming 2.5km a day in the pool to lose weight. He is aiming to be 50. 5kg lighter for riding Apache Chase on Saturday. He can't run anymore because of his knee injury. The wetsuit takes on water when swimming. It's working. His body is responding well to the program.

Jim Byrne is swimming 2.5km a day to lose weight to ride Apache Chase on Saturday. Byrne can't remember the last time he rode this light. Desleigh Forster-trained speedster qualified for the Stradbroke after knocking off boom Victorian horse Ayrton in the Fred Best Classic a fortnight ago.

Byrne is trying to lose weight to be fit and healthy for the Fred Best Classic on Queensland's premier day. Byrne has five rides on the day and he needs to stay fit to ride his horses. Apache Chase is a $11 chance to win the race. It is Forster's first Stradbroke runner and one of five Queensland-trained speedsters in the event.

Samantha Collett is riding Coventina Bay and Puntura at Eagle Farm on Saturday. She has been in Queensland for 10 days and has seen a lot of the countryside. Collet is second in the New Zealand jockeys' premiership. She is happy to come over and ride the Robbie Patterson-trained pair. CoveninaBay is heading towards the Group 1 Tatt’s Tiara and will first tackle the G2 Dane Ripper Stakes. Punura will take part in Group 3 Gunsynd Classic. The Kiwi jockey is enjoying the warmer weather.