Chelsea Pumped Up for Northern Return

Popular jockey Chelsea Jokic will step up her return to the northern riding ranks at Cluden Park tomorrow pain free and with a renewed determination.

Jokic, who shifted from Townsville to the south-east corner in 2021, recently relocated back to the city to reboot her career as a trainer/jockey.

The 28-year-old is fresh from hip surgery and feeling full of confidence after a winning double at Mareeba and winner at Emerald 

in her first week back.

Jokic, who became only the second female jockey to win the Townsville Cup when she scored on Lady Skills in 2018, has three rides tomorrow. 

“It’s great to be back up here. It’s very tough down there with so many good jockeys and very few opportunities,” Jokic said.

“It’s the same with the horses. A lot of strong stables and the class of the horses is much stronger.

“There’s much better opportunities up here and we’re really keen to make a go of it.

“I moved back with my brother Michael and we brought a team of nine horses. I have four of my own and Michael’s looking after five for dad (Stefan) whose still down at Beaudesert with mum (Fiona).

“At the moment we’re out at Yabulu but shortly we’ll be moving in to Michael Whitehouse’s stables back in town which will be good.

”I’ve had a good start to riding again. Three winners in my first week was nice and riding without the pain in my hip was a relief.

“It was an old injury from a fall back in 2018. It was causing me pain and last year I decided to have the surgery.

“I had my last ride on Melbourne Cup day and then had the operation. 

“Nine weeks later I was back at the track and it’s just so good to be riding pain free.”

Jokic is happy with how the team has settled in and is keen to see the good early signs convert to results on the track on the weekend.

She will ride Thredbo (Bush To Beach Real Estate 3YO Mdn 1300m) and Enuff Stop It (Ladbrokes Mdn Hcp 1000m) for her father, and Mishani Wolf for trainer john Manzelmann (Happy 70th Birthday Sue Byrnes 2YO Hcp 1200m).

A strong trial win has given her optimism about Thredbo’s chances.

“Thredbo won her trial well but she’s done that before and hasn’t reproduced it race day,” Jokic said.

“She wore blinker/pacifiers in the trial and I’m hoping that’ll switch her on in the race.

“I think Enuff Stop It will be up on the speed somewhere and I think she has a chance as well if she puts it together.”

The clash of promising two-year-olds Head Honcho and Time To Prophet promises to be the highlight of the five-event card.

Head Honcho finally ended his maiden status with a solid win at Cluden last start after three earlier seconds in metropolitan seconds in Brisbane.

Time To Prophet from the leading Holt stable has won twice and ran a powerful fourth in the QTIS Jewel at the Gold Coast before an unplaced run at Eagle Farm.

The Pallarenda Stakes winner at Cluden will go into the race with a big weight advantage following the booking of in-form apprentice Gabrielle Semmens.

Tomorrow’s five event card at Cluden kicks off at 12.59pm and winds up early at 3.18pm.

Pictured: Chelsea Jokic returns to scale after a win at Cluden Park.

See the racing calendar for upcoming race days.