Raquel Clark has been a rising star since moving to Adelaide and rides Star Status in the SA Derby

The decision to pack her bags and move to Adelaide has proven a career-defining move for Raquel Clark, who sits fourth on the Australian Jockey Premiership as Australia’s leading female rider.

Jockey Raquel Clark with Star Status who she is riding in the SA Derby at trainer Leon Macdonald stables. Clark has been the rising star in SA's riding ranks over the past year winning the Dux of the Apprentice Academy while leading the SA premiership. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

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RAQUEL Clark’s decision to pack her bags and leave Tasmania has proven a career-defining move.

Clark has enjoyed a rapid rise in the Adelaide riding ranks, winning the Dux of the SA Apprentice Academy last season and quickly filling the void created by Jamie Kah’s move to Victoria by sitting top of the Adelaide jockeys premiership.

Clark, 25, has ridden 121 winners this season, one more than Kah, and finds herself fourth on the Australian Jockey Premiership as Australia’s leading female rider.

“This season has been above expectations,’’ Clark said.

Jockey Raquel Clark with Star Status who she is riding in the SA Derby at trainer Leon Macdonald stables. Clark has been the rising star in SA's riding ranks over the past year winning the Dux of the Apprentice Academy while leading the SA premiership. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

“I aimed to ride 100 winners, but to be fourth and the leading female in Australia is something else.

“I’m behind some of the best in Australia, and I’m also in front of some the best, it’s really good.”

But despite her success it hasn’t all be smooth sailing. Clark admits that moving away from her family in 2017 has been difficult.

“It’s really been a reward for effort,’’ Clark says.

“It was really hard to leave my friends and family back home in Tasmania and come over here to know no-one.

“It was a big move but the risk is paying off and that’s what is really keeping me here in Adelaide.”

Raquel Clark wins at Morphettville on Tequila Time for Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas. Picture: Atkins Photography

Clark will spend three weeks riding in Singapore between May 27 and June 17, putting her quest for a maiden metropolitan riding premiership in jeopardy.

“Singapore is really exciting,’’ Clark added.

“I’ve always gone by the saying ‘Have saddle, will travel’ and hopefully Singapore is just the start.

“I’m one of those people who likes a challenge and the more challenges that are put in front of me, the more I rise to the occasion.”

And Clark would love nothing more than to spring a SA Derby upset on Saturday when she partners $51 outsider Star Status for bosses Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas from a tricky wide barrier.

“Winning a Group 1 would be a dream come true but to win one for Leon and Andrew would be something else,’’ Clark said.

Jockey Raquel Clark has shone since arriving in South Australia from Tasmania. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

“Star Status has had no luck and continues to have no luck with draws. Hopefully he has a change of fortune on Saturday, that’s all he really needs. If we can overcome a sticky barrier I think he’ll definitely be there in the finish.”

The Derby isn’t the only feature Clark has her eyes on on Saturday.

Her talent in the saddle again has her teaming with SA’s top trainer Tony McEvoy who is chasing an Adelaide Guineas with early favourite and last-start Nitschke Stakes winner East Indiaman.

“When you have people like Tony asking to ride their horses on Saturday, it’s a great feeling,’’ Clark said.

“And the boss (Macdonald) backs me in 110 per cent, to have his support is massive.”