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Full Noise by SN
Can Wells steer Distrustful Award to back-to-back Launceston Cups?
Matt Reid • February 24th, 2026 10:28 am
Jockey Chloe Wells has the chance to finish her apprenticeship the same way it started, by riding a winner.
Back in May 2021, Wells had her first race ride aboard Gee Gees Cricket at her home track of Devonport, and she led all the way for a memorable victory in a family affair. The horse was trained in partnership by her father, Dean, her grandfather, Leon, and her uncle, Trent.
On Wednesday, her last day as an apprentice jockey, Chloe has the chance to round out her apprenticeship, which has so far garnered 89 wins, by snaring her biggest win of all when she partners Distrustful Award in the $250,000 Ladbrokes Launceston Cup (2400m) at Group 3 level.
Distrustful Award won the race last year carrying the same weight (54kg) and 2kg less than when he ran an eye-catching third in the Hobart Cup 17 days ago, Wells has been aboard Distrustful Award at his past three runs and couldn’t be happier to be a live winning chance in the Cup.
“It would be a bit of a full circle moment, obviously, I won my first race ride, and to finish it off like that would be pretty special,” Wells said.
“I’m very excited, I couldn’t have asked for a better run from him the other day in Hobart. He really felt brilliant, and you would think with the right run in transit, he will be strong late.”
Distrustful Award’s trainer agrees.
“He had a gallop on the grass at Longford on Saturday morning like he did last year, and he worked super, I couldn’t be happier with him,” Peter Luttrell said.
“I’m rapt in the way he is going, I had the equine masseuse work on him, and she was rapt the well he felt so fingers crossed, with a bit of luck on Wednesday he will be in the money.”
“He ran third in the Sydeston Cup, and he was a bit unlucky not to win the Hobart Cup,” Luttrell said.
Wells has, for the most part, been competing with the senior jockeys on level terms after outriding her claim a few months ago. Last year, she had a three-month riding stint in Queensland, and while that was a great opportunity, she is happy to be home.
“At the time, I felt like I needed to go somewhere and probably grow up a little bit as a rider. I felt like I really learnt a lot. It opened my eyes a lot, They are very hardcore up in Queensland, and the jockeys up there are really great. It was a brilliant learning experience, but I was more than happy to come home. I really feel like I’ve settled in back home and riding for some really good trainers.”
Wells has returned to her family base at Devonport and is grateful for the support she received from her family who are heavily involved in the industry.
“They are 110% behind me. They aren’t afraid to tell me some things you don’t want to hear but they are always delighted for me when things go the right way.”
Distrustful Award hasn’t won since the Cup last year but his past couple of runs suggest he is right back to his best. Bookmakers have him well in the betting at $8. The early favourite is Ziryab at $3.60 after he finished second in the Hobart Cup.
It’s a huge 10-race card on Wednesday, which also features the WFA Hellova Street Stakes (1600m) and the WFA Vamos Stakes (1400m) for fillies and mares. Both races carry prize money of $150,000.
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