West Australian apprentice Fred Kersley wants to make his own name in the tough world of thoroughbred racing.
Kersley is the grandson of another Fred Kersley, a legend of harness racing in Western Australia and a successful thoroughbred trainer, most notably with multiple Group One winner Northerly.
The young Kersley is attempting to break into Melbourne riding ranks and wants to transfer to Lindsay Park on loan.
But the 18-year-old needs one more metropolitan winner to achieve that having ridden 19 winners in Perth.
He’s currently riding on a visiting jockeys’ licence.
Kersley hopes the experience gained riding at Sandown on Wednesday, when he had two close seconds, will hold him in good stead for his four mounts on Saturday.
He rides Memory Bank, Justice Glory and Guangzhou for Lindsay Park and Petite’s Reward for Brendan McCarthy at Sandown.
“I really can’t compare it to any track that we do have in Perth but so far I’ve got a good feel of it,” Kersley said.
“There’s a certain way to ride the track and it will take a while to be able to ride it good.”
If Kersley isn’t able to ride a winner on Saturday he’ll return home to Perth chasing that one city winner to make his return.
“It’s just a matter of time and hopefully it does come soon,” he said.
Memory Bank, unbeaten in two starts for Lindsay Park, is Kersley’s best ride on Saturday, currently rated a $7.50 chance in the Chandler Macleod Handicap.
