THE race for the apprentices' title in Sydney took a twist at Canterbury yesterday when Matthew Palmer and Peter Wells gained an edge over suspended rival Mitchell Beadman.

Wells took his season tally to 22 victories - and moved to a one-win lead over Palmer and Beadman - when successful on Illuminates.

"It's unbelievable, every time I ride a winner to get level with Peter he gets one back up on me," Palmer said

Earlier, Palmer scored on Grahame Begg's Hotel Casino, prompting the trainer to declare: "He is a very good rider, he's got a good nut [head] on him."

Wells will anxiously await the result of an appeal against a four-meeting careless-riding suspension on Monday, while Beadman returns to the saddle on July 26.

Meanwhile, last season's champion apprentice, Tye Angland, rode a masterful race to win on Rotorua for Bart Cummings.

Angland saved ground on the fence and charged through a small inside run in the straight to win. "You won't see many a narrower run taken than that boy took," said Racing NSW chief steward Ray Murrihy. Party time for Knights NRL immortal Andrew Johns and his former Newcastle Knights teammates Danny Buderus and Clint Newton shared the spoils when Cartoon Character staved off rivals to win the Private Steer Handicap.

Run in partnership with race player Eddie Hayson, the Kris Lees-prepared three-year-old made it two Canterbury wins on the trot and gave Gai Waterhouse's stable apprentice Daniel Ganderton his first Saturday win in his first Saturday ride.

"It's good for the [league] boys to win, especially after Newcastle got the cash against Penrith," said Lees, referring to the Knights' upset win on Friday night. Better luck for Regal Dane ANOTHER winner's cheque is headed Ron Leemon's way after Regal Dane racked up an overdue win in the second event to add to Innings's success in the Winter Stakes at Rosehill last weekend.

"Things are on the way up," Leemon said after Rod Quinn got the best out of Regal Dane. "Bad barriers have been costing her of late."

Quinn was aboard Innings in the Winter Stakes triumph and agreed that Regal Dane was a deserving winner.