Jockey Jake Molloy in top form in QLD provincial racing ranks

Leading Queensland apprentice Jake Molloy has reflected on his blistering transition to the Lindsay Hatch stable and reveals his metropolitan plans in the coming months.

Superstar jockey Jake Molloy and established trainer Lindsay Hatch. Picture: Racing Queensland

Queensland apprentice jockey Jake Molloy has reached hit career-best form since a brave move to the credited Lindsay Hatch stable.

Molloy, who was formerly based on the Sunshine Coast in 2020 and 2021, rode just 171 times in that period compared to his 410 starts in 2022, and now sits atop several provincial jockey leaderboards.

As of January 17, 2023, Molloy sits 12 wins clear on the Clifford Park jockeys premiership table, 11 wins ahead of Melea Castle in the Queensland provincial apprentice rankings and fourth in the overall provincial jockey rankings behind Ryan Wiggins, James Orman and Nathan Day.

“I’m pretty happy with how things are going because I’m just working hard and trying to make the most of my opportunities,” Molloy said.

“I got in touch with Lindsay Hatch through a good friend of mine in Paul Hamblin and was offered to move and be an apprentice so I couldn’t really say no.

“I didn’t think my career was going as good as I would’ve liked just due to my limited opportunities so I started riding work for Lindsay, Mark Currie and Tony Sears and really just went from there.”

The duo of Hatch and Molloy ranks as one of the best in Queensland with a record of 21 wins and 39 placings from 104 starts in the past 12 months.

Molloy said he hoped he could follow in the footsteps of those before him given Hatch has helped identify and guide former talented youngsters such as Baylee Nothdurft, Kyle Wilson-Taylor and Angela Jones.

“I was keen to make the move to Toowoomba initially as I was ready for that bigger stable and added pressure,” he said.

“Lindsay has carved out plenty of top riders because he really teaches you how to be a good jockey and how to be professional which I’m really enjoying.”

For My Annie ridden by Jake Molloy wins race two at Clifford Park. Saturday, May 14, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.

The former amateur boxing star who was a two-time Queensland titleholder said he was in ‘no rush’ to break into the metropolitan rankings.

“I’m in no rush, I think the timeline for metro grade is at the end of this season but I’m not too sure if I’ll make the move completely or if I’ll just travel in a few days a week,” he said.

“That’s also still a while away so I’m just hoping to continue improving and learn as much as I can until then.”