Image: Keith Muir.

Queensland newcomer Callum Spriggs has marked Hidden Valley as the ideal race to turn around his maiden season in the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) presented by Motul Pirelli.

Spriggs was selected by DesmoSport Ducati owners Troy Bayliss and Ben Henry to replace Europe-bound Mike Jones on-board the factory-supported in 2017, but has endured a troublesome campaign across the opening three rounds.

While top 10 pace has been within reach on numerous occasions, the 23-year-old Spriggs finds himself down in 19th overall with four rounds remaining and has high hopes heading into Darwin – especially considering his past Supersport success at the venue.

“I’m keen to get back on the bike and excited to ride at Hidden Valley Raceway,” said Spriggs. “It’s different to all of the other rounds because of the heat and it’s a pretty cool place. I really enjoy the track as well, so I’m feeling pretty confident.

“I just want to try and at least get my first top 10 of the year, but being around the seventh to 10th mark is what I’m really hoping for,” he explained. “We’re just looking for a good result and to show some potential, that’s all I really want to do.”

DesmoSport Ducati has risen to become one of the premier teams in the ASBK paddock under the co-ownership of three-time world champion Bayliss, working closely with a batch of the country’s youthful talent including the Henry-owned Cube Racing development squad in which Jones and Spriggs had previously ridden for.