Ryan Wiggins represents a prime instance of a jockey prepared to journey anywhere with his saddle, often covering vast distances across Queensland’s eastern coastline in a typical week.
His schedule this week features a mount on the David Vandyke-prepared Mr Racing at Ipswich, with the horse aiming to secure a maiden victory following a debut third placing earlier this month.
For his next appearance, he contests the TAB Maiden Handicap over 1666m on grass, differing from his first outing on the Gold Coast synthetic track.
“We had other options we were looking at but that was quite a weak race on a synthetic track and he was beaten for speed,” Vandyke said.
“He should run an improved race out to the mile and Ryan is a good aggressive jockey who is very passionate about what he does and he gets the best out of his horses.
“This horse was off the bit for quite some way last start and he needs someone who is going to give him proper direction.”
Such extensive travel is routine for Wiggins, whose current week’s engagements encompass mounts at Cairns, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Townsville, Mackay, and Ipswich on Friday.
Flights are part of it, yet driving alone exceeds 4500 kilometres.
Among Vandyke’s additional entrants, Acapulco Girl resumes in the Ipswich Party Hire Handicap, marking her return since August.
“She’s got a good draw in barrier four and I think the 1100-metres in a Class 2 at the provincials is an ideal race to kick off.”
Vandyke has booked Ben Thompson for the ride, the ex-Victorian now based in Queensland who ranks third on the national jockeys’ ladder with 94½ victories.
Thompson partners Better Draw too, a horse Vandyke called ‘a thinker’ who might place prominently if ridden patiently.
For his remaining horses, the Sunshine Coast trainer Vandyke ponders dispatching Slippin’ Jimmy to either Ipswich or Eagle Farm this Saturday.
“He’s ready to run a good race, especially back in distance so I expect him to run well,” Vandyke added.
“I think he needs a bit of confidence. He’s just been struggling to regain his best form after having an incredible strike rate early when he won the Magic Millions Country Cup convincingly.
“I just really want to see him bounce back to form and if that means going to an easier option then I’m happy to go in that direction.”
Check the Australian betting sites for the top TAB Maiden Handicap markets at Ipswich.