By landing a winner for Ciaron Maher, Tasmanian apprentice Jabez Johnstone has advanced his aspirations to shift permanently to Melbourne.
Johnstone rode the Maher-conditioned Cardi Bee to triumph in Wednesday’s IVE> Handicap (1500m) at Caulfield Heath on a short-term foray.
He flew into Melbourne Sunday, rode in jump-outs at Cranbourne Monday, did gallops there Tuesday, and then had two rides for Maher’s squad on the Wednesday meeting.
Johnstone ranks second on the Tasmanian Jockeys’ premiership on 47 winners for the season, heading home Wednesday night before seven rides at Devonport Sunday.
Jack Turnbull, Ciaron Maher Racing’s National Assistant Trainer, expects Johnstone to make a similar return in two weeks.
“He’s come over from Tasmania through Steve Maskiell and he’s hit the ground running,” Turnbull said.
“He flies back tonight, but he’s back in a fortnight to do a similar thing and then I guess it’s up to him and Ciaron and the team if he would like to come back and ride in Melbourne.
“He rode trials on Monday, and a couple of gallops, and the idea was to get a couple of rides today and thankfully he’s got a winner at his second race after he rode the first one really well.
“Hopefully he likes his time and wants to come back.
“He’s a good young kid with plenty of ability and he showed that today as he was very collected in the run.”
Johnstone is keen to head back to Melbourne soon.
With guidance from ex-jockey and apprentices’ mentor Alf Matthews, he inspected the Caulfield Heath track on foot and marveled at its layout.
“I can’t thank everyone enough for all their support, all the team back home and Ciaron and the team here, they put a lot of faith in me,” Johnstone said.
“The race, it worked out perfectly.
“I had barrier 10 and it was a blessing in disguise actually. She likes to roll forward and on this tight turning track, the genuine speed helped me, and we were able to get in, and she was able to do the rest.”
Head to the betting sites for competitive odds on races including the IVE> Handicap at Caulfield Heath.
