Jockey Thomas Stockdale vows to be riding at 54kg during 2025 Melbourne Spring Carnival

Jockeys often make sacrifices to ply their trade and Thomas Stockdale’s latest sacrifice could be at Caulfield on Saturday.

Jockeys often make sacrifices to ply their trade and Thomas Stockdale’s latest sacrifice could be at Caulfield on Saturday.

Stockdale has won twice on the promising three-year-old Electric Tommy but won’t be aboard the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained sprinter in Saturday’s Sportsbet Feed Handicap (1200m).

Apprentice Logan Bates will ride the winner of three of four starts in the $150,000 race while Stockdale spends the day on the sidelines.

Stockdale said missing Saturday’s racing was the by-product of his plan to be at his lightest for the hectic spring period.

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“I missed out on two or three rides on Saturday because they didn’t get my weight, just because of the time of year it is,” Stockdale said.

“I’ve just come back from a holiday and I’m not crushing myself to ride too light.

“I just got back from my honeymoon so I’m just cruising at the moment, but once it comes around to springtime, I’ll be getting down as light as possible.”

Stockdale said spending too much time riding at his lightest weight was not ideal for his body so he only shaved the maximum possible weight for the richer spring and autumn periods.

He will ride at 57kg at Bendigo on Sunday before shedding another 3kg over the next few weeks.

“I’m not one to bash myself before spring. I’m more of a taller and heavier bloke so I want to make sure I’ve got enough gas in the engine for the spring,” Stockdale said.

“Over the next month, I’ll be getting my weight down to be riding 54(kg) in the spring.”

Stockdale anticipated Bates would ask him for input on Electric Tommy’s traits.

Electric Tommy makes a mightily impressive debut for @FreedmanRacing âš¡@jamieleemottpic.twitter.com/kRxdgIMLN2

— Racing.com (@Racing) September 30, 2024

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He said would give a glowing report on the son of I Am Immortal’s progress ahead of the gelding’s first city appearance after riding Electric Tommy to wins at Moe and Geelong.

“His behaviour and maturity were a lot better at Geelong,” Stockdale said.

“I was expecting improvement from Moe, but on the heavy going, he seemed to grow a leg and extend further off what I thought he would improve on.

“He improved more mentally, which took him a long way and he thrived on the surface

“If we have a bit of rain around, he’ll put up a good showing.”

Electric Tommy has been well supported in early betting on the Caulfield race, firming from $8 into $6.50.

Originally published as Jockey Thomas Stockdale vows to be riding at 54kg during 2025 Melbourne Spring Carnival