Jackson Radley rounded off a standout day for apprentice riders at Flemington on Saturday, particularly those from Tasmania, by partnering Seafall to victory in a key race.
Radley continued his successful association with the mare trained by Ben, Will, and JD Hayes, guiding her to win the $150,000 The David Bourke (1620m), a qualifying race for the $200,000 Listed Winter Championship Final in two weeks.
Seafall’s victory came two races after Radley had already won the $150,000 Bruce Gadsden Handicap (1420m) on Stylish, another horse from the Lindsay Park stable.
Both of Radley’s wins followed wins by fellow Tasmanian apprentice Jabez Johnstone, who rode the Ciaron Maher-trained favourites Decalogue and Ten Commandments.
“It definitely keeps us competitive, that’s for sure,” Radley stated regarding the competition from Tasmanian riders on the mainland, where he has been based since last year.
“It’s good to do this, especially for the Lindsay Park team.
“It’s already been talked about, them leaving me on a couple of their horses in the Finals Series races and I haven’t had a good day at Flemington before, so I’m glad to get a couple of winners on the board.”
Radley was pleased that Seafall had the benefit of the long Flemington straight on Saturday, allowing the mare to snatch a win in a close three-way finish with Al Duca and Highlights, marking her fourth win in her last five starts.
“I always thought I was going to reel them in, but any other track than today I probably wouldn’t have got there,” he said.
Radley’s two winners were not considered outsiders, with Seafall starting at $5.50 and Stylish at $7, but they were less popular with punters than Johnstone’s rides.
After winning the second race aboard the $3.40 favourite Decalogue, Johnstone then rode the day’s shortest-priced favourite, Ten Commandments ($2.10), to victory in the fifth race.
“Obviously none of this would have been possible without the support I’m getting and Ciaron Maher and his team and I can’t thank them enough,” Johnstone remarked.
“He’s given me really good support and put a lot of trust in me.”
Apprentices dominated more than half of the Flemington program. The day began with Ryan Houston winning on Fontein Jewel for Ben Brisbourne and concluded with Luke Cartwright scoring on Obvious for Greg Eurell.
Consider the racing betting markets for the upcoming Winter Championship Final available on popular Australian betting sites.