Jackson Radley can’t wait to play golf with Damien Oliver.
He admits that his golf game, like his riding, needs constant work but if the champion jockey can help him as much on the fairways and greens as what he already has in the saddle, then he knows he’s going to take great strides.
Oliver is the man that brought the Tasmanian apprentice to Melbourne and it was on the golf course that their unlikely partnership was formed when a mutual friend connected the pair.
Radley, 19, would ring Oliver for advice before and after his rides in Tasmania. He grew up around horses but was only introduced to racing several years ago so he was happy to take on any bit of feedback.
Oliver, who won 129 Group 1 races during a stellar career that ended in 2023, embraced the role of mentor and saw potential in the young rider.
“One of our family friends used to play a bit of golf with him and he asked if he had any interest in helping this kid (me) out,” Radley said.
“He was happy to help me and it just went from there.”
“I was very fortunate to have Damien going through my rides when I was in Tassie and when I was having a good run there for a while he asked if I was interested in coming to Victoria for a stint.”
“He said he might be able to get me in with a good stable and mentioned Lindsay Park so he was the one that gave them a call and they were more than happy to have me for a few months.”
“If things go well, I’d love to extend it as well.”
Things are going well.
Radley rode a city double at Ballarat on Saturday, steering SA raider Swiftie Harriet and Lindsay Park’s own Sneaky Sunrise, the latter his first metropolitan winner for his new bosses.
With Logan Bates, Luke Cartwright and Ryan Houston all down to a 2kg claim, Radley’s shapes as one of the go-to 3kg claims in Melbourne this summer.
He hopes to build on the momentum and make enough of a statement during December and January for Lindsay Park to extend his stay beyond the initial three-month loan.
“Victoria is a big step up from Tassie so I knew I needed to come over here and hit the ground running and it was important to get a couple on the board early,” he said.
“I hope it shows people that I can do it so that the rides keep coming in the future.”
“It’s a very good opportunity I’ve got with Lindsay Park and a great manager in Liam Prior who is doing his best to get me some good rides.”
“I’m giving it a red-hot crack and hopefully I can make it over here.”
