Racing
Jacko set for Newmarket toast
Radley ready for Victorian move.
A little over two years since he burst onto the scene with a winner at his first race ride, apprentice Jackson Radley will leave the state following Friday night's Newmarket meeting in Launceston.
Radley is scheduled to transfer his apprenticeship to Victoria, where he will join the powerhouse training partnership of Ben, Will, and JD Hayes. He has already ridden for them on 14 occasions, returning three winners and as many minor placings.
"I'm very excited about the move to Melbourne for Sienna (partner) and me. It's a very good opportunity and I'm really looking forward to going up against some of the best riders in the world each week," Radley said.
Radley won his first Tasmanian Apprentice Premiership last season, recording 51 winners, which was second only to Anthony Darmanin (68) on the overall table.
His move to Victoria has been a long time in the making, having ridden well beyond his years every time he has been tested outside of Tasmania.
"It's been in the works for a while. I was planning on heading over in winter this year, but I hadn't ridden enough winners (80), so I had to put it off for a while," said Radley, who now has 91 career victories.
Radley is still in search of his first black-type success, and his final chance to do so on home soil before the interstate move is with Wineglass Bay in the Listed Jackson Security Newmarket Handicap (1200m) on Friday night.
The seven-year-old gelding is unbeaten across three Tasmanian starts since transferring from Chris Waller to John Blacker and will be first-up, having not raced since a 1430m win on a heavy track in Hobart on 27 July.
"I think Wineglass Bay will run well; his work has been very good," Radley said.
"We know 1200m is probably short of his best distance, but we should get a good run from the draw (4) and be able to hold a midfield position," added Radley, with the 2025 Newmarket attracting a full field of 14.
Radley will also have a ride in the night's other feature race, partnering Daytona Diva in the $125,000 The Baker Group 3YO Cup.
The filly finished a length off Mazzini in Launceston on 31 October, with that pair being two of just six acceptors for the race.
If Radley is to taste success on Friday night, there'll be little time for celebration as he is booked for the Spirit of Tasmania on Sunday.
"It's been a great start to my career down here, and I'm very grateful to John (Blacker) and Penny (Cawthen) and the other trainers for the opportunities I've received."
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