Racing
Jacko set for the title fight
With rumours circling his immediate riding future, gun apprentice jockey Jackson Radley is set to remain in the state as he chases his first apprentice premiership.
The talented 19-year-old had been rumoured to be leaving his home state for an opportunity with the Ben, Will & Jd Hayes stable in Victoria. However, those plans are on hold."I'm still keen to head to Victoria, and the opportunity with the Hayes Team is a great one, but it's looking more like the end of next Summer Carnival is when that might happen," said Radley at Tuesday's Longford trials.
"I'm loyal to John (Blacker), and Hayley (McCarthy) was set to pick up a lot of the trackwork if I moved away, but with her accident in Devonport, I'm needed here.
"It could be a blessing in disguise. I've obviously got a great chance to win the (apprentice) premiership down here, and that'll be a focus for the next few months."
Radley put himself on the national radar with a winning double at Murray Bridge (SA) as part of the National Apprentice Race Series in April, and on either side of that, secured impressive metropolitan placings at Moonee Valley and Warrnambool (Vic).
The race for the 24/25 Tasmanian apprentice premiership appears set to go down to the wire, with Radley and Lauryn Bingley tied on 39 wins, and Chloe Wells just two back on 37.
On Tuesday, Radley partnered two trial winners for his master John Blacker, including an impressive two-year-old winner, Daytona Diva.
The filly by Anders from Step the Pedal was a $40,000 purchase at the 2024 Tasmanian Magic Millions Yearling Sale, bred by Armidale Stud.
"I think the team have an opinion of her, and she gave me a nice feel today," said Radley.
Connections indicated that Daytona Diva will likely have her first start in the next two-year-old race in Hobart on 8 June.
Progressive mare Anyways Roxie was another impressive winner at Longford and is set to return on Sunday week (1 June) in Devonport over 1009m. A positive result there may see the $109,000 Ladbrokes Carpet Charge on Devonport Cup Day become a long-range target.
Trainer Mark Ganderton prepared three of the nine trial winners, with Adachi producing the quickest time of the day. The former Imogen Miller-trained five-year-old looks set for a good campaign with his new stable, catching the eye in 46.51s over 800m.
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