Up and coming apprentice Zac Wadick ends a run of minor placings to land his first Saturday metro win on Mickey’s Medal at Rosehill

Following several close finishes, apprentice Zac Wadick and Mickey’s Medal claimed a well deserved win at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Apprentice Zac Wadick salutes after winning his first Saturday metropolitan race aboard Mickey's Medal at Rosehill. Picture: Getty Images

It was a milestone moment for emerging apprentice Zac Wadick after he broke through for his first Sydney Saturday winner on Mickey’s Medal at Rosehill Gardens.

“I have been coming to town now for a few weeks and (had) a couple of seconds, a couple of placings and it has been really frustrating,” Wadick said.

“To get this win today, and especially for Annabel (Neasham, trainer), she has been giving me tremendous support since moving down from Taree. She has done very good by me and I’m really happy to get the winner for her.”

Wadick, 21, broke an exasperating run of near misses on Mickey’s Medal ($8.50) to take out the James Squire Handicap (1500m) narrowly from Headley Grange ($9) with Mostro ($11) one-and-a-half lengths away third.

Mickey's Medal, under the urgings of apprentice Zac Wadick, turns the tables on Headley Grange and scores a well-earned win for @ANeashamRacing 👏 pic.twitter.com/bKfECgoQ1k

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 20, 2024

Favourite Pure Alpha ($2.90) looked to have every chance before fading to finish only seventh.

Mickey’s Medal had finished second in three successive starts under Wadick going into Rosehill and Neasham took particular satisfaction that she was able to provide the apprentice with his breakthrough city Saturday success.

“A peach of a ride by Zac,” Neasham said. “I believe that is his first (Sydney) Saturday winner. I know he was desperate to win on that horse after so many second placings.

“I’m really happy for Zac, he’s a nice kid and a good, up and coming young rider.”

Wadick speaks with a maturity beyond his years and it was no surprise to learn he wasn’t daunted sharing the Sydney jockeys room with the likes of world-class riders like James McDonald, Nash Rawiller, Tommy Berry and Jason Collett.

“It’s a great room, it is full of some of the best riders in the world and they treat me like one of their own. It’s really good,” Wadick said.

Originally published as Up and coming apprentice Zac Wadick ends a run of minor placings to land his first Saturday metro win on Mickey’s Medal at Rosehill