Leading Tasmanian jockey Jason Maskiell is to spend the winter riding in Darwin.
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Longford-based Maskiell, who is fourth on the premiership table with 31 wins, will be away for two months.
His last Tasmanian meeting this season will be at Elwick on June 10.
Maskiell said that the trip away would benefit him both mentally and phyiscally.
“They race twice a week up there over the carnival,” the jockey said.
Racing once a week in Tasmania is not good for me mentally. I have too much time on my hands.
- Jason Maskiell
“Racing once a week in Tasmania is not good for me mentally.
“I have too much time on my hands.
“Plus the heat up there helps keep your weight down.”
Maskiell said that while in Darwin he would be riding for Victorian trainer Neil Dyer and South Australian trainer Michael Hickmont.
“They have both won the Darwin Cup three times and had a lot of success up there,” Maskiell said.
“The feature races are worth good money; the minimum prizemoney for all races over the two-month carnival is $20,000; and the jockeys are on $235 a ride.
“It’s obviously a good place to be – I’m looking forward to it.”
Maskiell spent Tuesday morning riding at the Spreyton trials.
He wasn’t on smart galloper Willby Rules when he finished second to Spihro over 800m but will be reunited with the gelding when he resumes from a spell in Hobart on Sunday.
Maskiell has ridden Willby Rules seven times for five wins.
The four-year-old hasn’t raced since finishing sixth in the Devonport Cup in January.
TESTING DRAW
Fastest heat winner Izaha has drawn a wide second row barrier for the $40,000 Globe Derby Stakes final at Mowbray on Friday night.
The other heat winner, Dufrense, will start from the front row but is also awkwardly placed in barrier 6.
The barrier draws are – GLOBE DERBY: Ideal Karalta (em), Shadow Ross, Maybe Jack, Pezzamystic, Beam Me Up Chopper, Dufrense, Streitkid, Krafty Boy, Feelin Dusty, Yatsenyuk Leis, Tisu Spirit, Izaha, Flashy Ruler. BANDBOX: Modart Niadh, Class Tells, Ideal Bliss, Asharuby, Nostra Beach, Bremusa, Molly Malones, Delbelle Legend, Karpenkova Leis, Origin Alfie.
