Young jockey Jackson Radley concluded a memorable day for apprentice riders at Flemington on Saturday, particularly those hailing from Tasmania, by steering Seafall to victory in a significant race.
Radley maintained his strong partnership with the mare trained by Ben, Will, and JD Hayes, guiding her to triumph in the $150,000 The David Bourke (1620m). This victory serves as a qualifier for the $200,000 Listed Winter Championship Final, scheduled to take place in two weeks.
Seafall’s win occurred two races after Radley secured the $150,000 Bruce Gadsden Handicap (1420m) aboard Stylish, another stablemate from Lindsay Park.
Both of Radley’s wins followed successful rides by fellow Tasmanian, Jabez Johnstone, who partnered the Ciaron Maher-trained favourites Decalogue and Ten Commandments.
“It definitely keeps us competitive, that’s for sure,” Radley commented on the presence of Tasmanian rivals on the mainland, where he has been based since the previous 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 expressed satisfaction that Seafall benefited from the long Flemington straight, enabling the mare to achieve a last-stride victory in a tight contest against 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 stated.
Radley’s winning mounts were not considered outsiders – Seafall was priced at $5.50 and Stylish at $7 – but they were less favoured by punters compared to Johnstone’s rides.
Following his win in the second race on 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 said.
“He’s given me really good support and put a lot of trust in me.”
Apprentices were victorious in more than half of the races on the Flemington card. The day began with Ryan Houston winning on Fontein Jewel for Ben Brisbourne and concluded with Luke Cartwright saluting on Obvious for Greg Eurell.
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