Stalker in debut ride
TASMANIAN jockey ranks will be bolstered by two this weekend when fledgling apprentices Tayah Stalker and Taylor Johnstone have their first rides at the meeting in Devonport on Sunday.
Both young riders have been producing impressive performances at the trials and Tasmania’s apprentice coach Stephen Maskiell gave both riders the long-awaited tick of approval after the trials in Devonport on Tuesday. Stalker, who is indentured to Cressy-based trainer Cameron Thompson, has wanted to be a jockey for as long as she can remember.
“I had my first ride when I was six and I’ve been hooked ever since,” Stalker said.
“I’ve been working at stables and around horses since my early teens and I started off down south before moving to the north of the state to pursue my career. “I can hardly wait for Sunday because I am riding my favourite horse Trojan Storm.”
Stalker, 18, rides Trojan Storm in trackwork every day, so she knows the gelding well and his trainer is hoping that special relationship between horse and rider have will allow the gelding to break through after notching six consecutive seconds.
“Tayah has a great relationship with Trojan Storm so hopefully that will be an advantage on Sunday as well as her four-kilogram claim,” Thompson said. Trojan Storm will line up in a benchmark 60 handicap (race 6) over 1150m in which he will likely line up the second favourite behind last-start maiden winner Madetobebroken. Johnstone, 18, is indentured to Team Wells and is based with the senior member of the family business, Leon Wells, at Brighton. Johnstone rode in over 70 trials and has been aligned with the Wells camp for well over a year. She drives 40 minutes to work every day and has never missed a beat since taking out her apprenticeship. Johnston has two rides on Sunday in Gee Gees Buzz in the 1009metre maiden (race 2) and Gee Gees Jennia in a benchmark 60 over 1150m (race 6). Gee Gees Buzz is a half-sister to star sprinter Deroche and while Wells’ gelding has yet to show best form.