Melea Castle determined to cement herself in the Victorian riding ranks

Moving to Victoria from Queensland has created more opportunities for Melea Castle who will ride at Flemington for the first time on Saturday.

“Giving it a good crack” could lead to newly-arrived jockey Melea Castle making a bold statement at Flemington on Saturday.

Castle followed her old boss Chris Meagher to Victoria when the trainer relocated from Queensland late last year.

Castle said she has a 12-month lease on a property on the Mornington Peninsula, where she lives with her daughter, but is keen to cement herself in the Victorian riding ranks.

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She said Victoria’s busier schedule offered greater opportunities than Queensland.

“I finished my apprenticeship with him and I needed a break from Queensland racing so decided to come down,” Castle said.

“I really like the racing here. There are so many opportunities.

“I’ve got a lease here for 12 months so I thought I’d give it a really good crack here and see how I like the winter.

“I seem to be getting more support than I was in Queensland and I’m learning a lot more and it is nice riding on different tracks against different jockeys.

“I’m not riding every day but I’m riding enough so it’s been really good.”

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Castle has settled in well to her new surrounding, quickly securing support from most Mornington-based trainers.

Training partners David Brideoake and Matt Jenkins are such supporters.

“My second morning here, David asked me to do a jumpout and that’s how it all started,” Castle said.

“He gave me my first race ride down here and my first winner so he and Matt have been really good supporters and I do ride a bit of work for them every morning.

“It’s great to be rewarded.”

Melea Castle is eager to stay longer in Victoria after relocating from Queensland. Picture: George Sal/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Castle quickly repaid the duo’s faith, winning on Van Roy at The Valley in November last year, before going down narrowly on the gelding at The Valley last month.

Bookies rated Castle as a $14 chance to post her first Flemington win on Van Roy in the Off The Track Trophy (1600m).

Castle will adopt simple tactics on Van Roy, setting her rivals the task of running down the gelding in the last 400m.

“I have a really good relationship with the horse and he’s going really well this prep,” Castle said.

“I just leave him alone and let him be happy wherever he’s travelling and I think he’s racing really well that way.

“That’s just how I’ve ridden him and it’s working.

“Unless there’s someone that is keen to put pressure on him, I think he’ll be able to lead quite comfortably and hopefully run a nice little race.

“He’s drawn a little bit sticky but he should go well.”

Originally published as Melea Castle determined to cement herself in the Victorian riding ranks