Matamata apprentice Shaun McKay has a quartet of in-form mounts at New Plymouth on Thursday to continue his hot run of form in the central districts.

“I’m getting on better horses now and it’s really building my confidence,” the 18-year-old said.

McKay enjoyed an outstanding Queen’s Birthday weekend with winning rides aboard Start Wondering,Queen of Navarre and Twoznotenough at Wanganui last Saturday.

Two days later, he backed up at Tauherenikau to score with Judi Anne and Dr Watson before he was first home on Jimmy Mac, only to lose the race in the inquiry room.

The horse was relegated to second and McKay pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge and copped a five day ban.

His suspension will begin after New Plymouth where he has four decent prospects, including three for Awapuni trainer Gary Vile.

“I rode them all at their last starts and they should all be good chances again,” McKay said.

Perfect Pitch (Janelle Millar Racing Stables Maiden) and Elusive Jane (NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race) were both placed at their most recent outings while Pacific Belle (Steelfab 1400) was a dominant first-up maiden winner at Woodville last month.

McKay has also been booked for the Ralph Manning-trained Retrospect (Real Lodge Choice 2000), a four-year-old who is at the top of his game.

He won when resuming over a mile at Gisborne in February and repeated that effort last month over the same trip on a heavy New Plymouth track in his only subsequent appearance.