Fred Kersley keen to deliver another Winter Championship Final for trainer Lindsey Smith on Yellow Sam

Jockey Fred Kersley has grown close with trainer Lindsey Smith and would love to win the Winter Championship Final for him on Yellow Sam.

Jockey Fred Kersley has the “right horse in the right form” to win the Listed Winter Championship Series Final (1600m) on Saturday at Flemington aboard Lindsey Smith-trained Yellow Sam.

Kersley endorsed Smith’s call to back-up Yellow Sam after the “ultimate racehorse” arrived in time to win a 1440m Open Handicap last Saturday at Caulfield.

Smith has won the Winter Championship twice previously with Reykjavik (2019) and Tuvalu (2022).

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“My initial comments to (managing owner) Chris Wells and Lindsey was she’s looking for the mile,” Kersley said.

“She’s going there a mare in form.”

The five-year-old mare, an eight-time winner from 17 starts, surged to a half-length win last Saturday.

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“Initially, I thought when we got clear running at the top of the straight we were going to put them away easily,” Kersley said.

“Probably ended up putting them away 100m-150m after I thought I would’ve but we’ll take it and I think moving forward she’s going to be well-placed at the mile.

“She’s drawn a nice barrier and I can see us being just in behind the speed and her running into it.”

Fred Kersley combined with Yellow Sam to win at Caulfield last Saturday. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

Yellow Sam is $9.50 behind Oh Too Good ($2.90), Jimmy The Bear ($6) and Cafe Millenium ($6.50).

Kersley would love to reward Smith with an important win on Saturday.

The jockey has grown close to Smith off the track, being in a relationship with his daughter Mia.

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Smith has spoken openly of late about a recent battle with mental health.

“Lindsey is an astute horseman,” Kersley said.

“Very much similar as a jockey, when the results aren’t there you blame yourself.

“He’s probably his biggest critic and quite harsh on himself.

“The last few months hasn’t been easy but his horses are all running well and I think we’re going into the Winter Championship with the right horse in the right form.”

Kersley with girlfriend Mia, who is a strapper for her father trainer Lindsey Smith. Picture: Getty Images

Kersley has battled for continuity but like Smith, remains determined on the task ahead.

“It has been (tough) there’s no lie there,” Kersley said.

“I’m really looking forward to having good health and hopefully ride out a full season.

“I feel as if I’m doing the right track work for the right people.

“It is a time of year I should be riding consistently well and I’d like to think the majority of horses are getting their opportunity and let’s hope we can continue to build on recent successes.”

Originally published as Fred Kersley keen to deliver another Winter Championship Final for trainer Lindsey Smith on Yellow Sam