Jockey Thomas Stockdale gets first Group 1 ride in Saturday’s CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield

Eight years, a number of injuries and almost 400 wins have formed the path to jockey Thomas Stockdale’s maiden Group 1 ride in Saturday’s CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield.

“If you hang around the barber shop long enough, you’re going to get a haircut”.

It’s an unusual metaphor but it’s also an apt summary of jockey Thomas Stockdale securing his first Group 1 ride in Saturday’s CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield.

Stockdale’s booking on the Ciaron Maher-trained Semana was the result of perseverance and patience, waiting for his opportunity while slipping up and down in the pecking order of Melbourne jockeys.

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Stockdale rode his first winner in 2017 and is closing on 400 career wins but his eight-year journey hasn’t been smooth.

“That’s because I’ve had about 10 good injuries that have put me out of the saddle for, I think over two years if you combined them all up,” Stockdale said.

“I’ve been in the game for quite a while but the injuries have unfortunately taken away a significant bit of time in the saddle.”

“Touch wood, I’ve been injury free for a while now since I got banged up in the gates on Stakes day, the last day of the (Flemington) carnival, which put me out for about a month.”

Constantly starting and stopping his career left Stockdale with the tough task of starting back at the bottom, working to secure a foothold in the fluid Melbourne riding ranks.

“It doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time to build relationships, to gain momentum, which I’ve been OK with as I’ve had to be patient coming back from injuries and waiting my turn.” he said.

Jockey Thomas Stockdale will have his first Group 1 ride in Saturday’s CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield. Picture: Ross Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Continuity gained from a clearer run with injuries has allowed Stockdale the chance to build a relationship with the powerful Maher camp.

Consistently riding in jumpouts on Mondays and fast work for the stable on Thursday played a part in Stockdale winning last year’s Victorian Country Jockeys’ Premiership, riding more than 100 winners in a season for the first time in his career.

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“Winning the country premiership last season was great and it was a goal that I was happy to tick off and Ciaron provided some pivotal winners towards the back end of that season,” Stockdale said.

Stockdale rode a trio of Group 3 winners last season, including on the classy Vibrant Sun. But the jockey lamented missing out on Group 1 rides on several horses, including on Vibrant Sun in last year’s Australasian Oaks.

But Stockdale now has his chance on Semama, who is part-owned by former Australian cricket star David Warner.

“I had a couple of horses last season that went on to win Group 1s that unfortunately I didn’t get to follow through with,” Stockdale said.

Consistent mare Semana is one of the roughies engaged in Saturday’s Group 1 CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield. Picture: Getty Images

“But now I’m starting to get my chances on good horses in good races.

“Ciaron has always thrown me rides at the provincials and a few rides here and there in the metropolitan areas.

“It’s my first Group 1 ride and it’s great to have one for his team because he’s been supporting me a lot over the last 12 months.

“It’s great to be getting rewarded.”

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Semana is a $34 chance in early CF Orr Stakes betting.

However, as Stockdale pointed out, the mare has been competitive at the highest level in the past.

“Her form speaks for itself. She’s three times Group 1-placed and it was a very good run in the Coolmore behind Zougotcha,” Stockdale said.

“She ran a very good second in the Queen Of The Turf and behind Bella Nipotina in the Tatt’s Tiara and was only beaten 1.3 lengths behind Via Sistina in the Winx Stakes.

“She’s got all the good form around here and I think she definitely deserves a crack at a good race like this.”

Last year’s winner Mr Brightside is the $2.50 favourite to claim a second CF Orr Stakes.

Originally published as Jockey Thomas Stockdale gets first Group 1 ride in Saturday’s CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield