Gun hoop Jake Toeroek returns from European trip to defend Adelaide jockeys’ title

Premiership-leading hoop Jake Toeroek is refreshed and determined to defend his Adelaide jockeys’ title, returning to the saddle on Saturday for a strong book of five rides at Gawler.

Premiership-leading hoop Jake Toeroek is refreshed and determined to defend his Adelaide jockeys’ title, returning to the saddle on Saturday for a strong book of five rides at Gawler.

Toeroek is back in Adelaide after spending three-and-a-half weeks in Europe with partner Chantelle Jolly, as the couple enjoyed a break away from racing in Italy and Croatia following a busy Adelaide Carnival.

“I try and take a holiday every year, this year we decided to do Europe – if you go to Europe you want to make it a decent holiday if you’re going that far,” Toeroek said.

“We probably had a little bit longer than what we normally would’ve – it was a good little freshen up to stick the feet up for awhile, eat plenty of food and get fat.”

Four weeks since his last race ride, Toeroek leads Adelaide’s metro jockeys’ premiership with 42 wins for the season, two wins ahead of Todd Pannell (40) and six clear of Jason Holder (36) as the 2023-24 metro season nears its end on July 27.

It's three winners for Jake Toeroek at Morphettville so far 👏 pic.twitter.com/F1met6W0Ab

— Racing.com (@Racing) April 6, 2024

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The time off saw Pannell close the gap at the top. Despite using the European break to switch off and reset, Toeroek was acutely aware of where things stood in the premiership race – and he returns eager to put some space between himself and his challengers.

“The best part about a freshen up is to get back into it,” he said.

“(I’m) keen to hold the lead in the premiership – and I’m pretty hungry for next season – hopefully we can keep a good strike rate going.

“Todd has really hit momentum at the right time, all I need to do is probably ride a winner a week to keep the momentum up, but I’ll definitely be pushing to ride more than that, that’s for sure, I’m hoping to hold him off more than anything.”

Todd Pannell is closing the gap on Jake Toeroek in the SA metro jockey premiership 🙏 pic.twitter.com/ofMXcNdF3E

— Racing.com (@Racing) June 29, 2024

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After securing his first premiership last year with 48 metro wins, Toeroek is just as intent on going back-to-back this season and appreciates how significant premiership wins can be for a jockey’s career.

“It’s the aim of the game, the whole job is to win – when you win the premiership it means you’ve done it the best out of anyone else,” he said.   

“That opens up the door for interstate trainers when they come over and who knows what else, it could be possible overseas (opportunities) – it definitely means a lot.

“If you ever have kids you can say that ‘I was there and I did that’.

“We all aim to be the best at what we are doing. I was lucky enough to do it last year and have got to try and do it again this season.”

Toeroek, Pannell and Holder all have a book of five rides for Saturday’s nine-race card at Gawler.

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Toeroek will pilot Six Stars ($5 TAB), Hard Prince ($4.20), Pointless Praise ($4.40), Klabel ($2.50F) and Solar Blast ($4.80) – all from the Richard and Chantelle Jolly stable.

“Klabel’s the standout (on Saturday). With the rail back in, it may also benefit Hard Prince and Six Stars. They’ve all got their chances that’s for sure,” he said.

“(I’m) kind of glad I’ve only got the five to be honest because I’ve got quite a bit of weight to lose, any more than that and it might have been pushing it a bit – it will be a good blowout. I’ve got some good chances.”

Originally published as Gun hoop Jake Toeroek returns from European trip to defend Adelaide jockeys’ title