Apprentices title is Murphy’s Law
JACKSON Murphy will get an early start on his mission to become the leading metropolitan apprentice in Brisbane when he rides at the biggest meeting of his career next week.
Murphy, with 22 winners, has the Gold Coast apprentice jockeys premiership won, despite not arriving in Queensland until November.
The 20-year-old could edge closer to the 28 wins Jag Guthmann-Chester secured on his way to winning last year’s title today when he rides Let it rip potato chip, Alena, French Descent and
Straight Home at Aquis Park.
Murphy is also ranked second in the Queensland apprentice provincial jockeys premiership, two wins behind Baylee Nothdurft.
It’s been his dream to win a country, provincial or city apprentices premiership but he fell two wins short in a NSW country title last year.
The apprentice of Eagle Farm trainer Chris Anderson
is willing to risk losing touch with Nothdurft as he shifts his focus to making an impact at Saturday metropolitan level in the 2018-19 season that begins in August.
Murphy, who is in getting his licence for metro Saturday races, is poised to ride at the Caloundra Cup meeting next Saturday on Anderson’s last-start winners Tipping and The Party Girl.
“It will be the biggest race day I have ever ridden at,” Murphy said. “I’ve never ridden on a Group day or metro Saturday for that matter.
“Even before I started riding my aim was to be the best jockey I possibly could. I want to be leading apprentice in Brisbane next season.
“We decided to start going to town Saturdays in the next few weeks and see how it goes.
“I still have a 3kg claim and it’s a big benefit.
“It could hinder my chances to win the provincial premiership but getting into the city can be hard to do with how competitive it is, so I have to take the opportunity.”