Jokic Banks on Jockey Change for Acrobatic

Wulguru jockey-trainer Chelsea Jokic is hoping a rider switch will continue to spark a form revival for Brisbane cast-off Acrobatic at Cluden Park on Tuesday.

Jokic is again happy to hand the reins over to Justin Stanley to handle the hard going six-year-old in the Ladbrokes Hcp (1200m) after the pair’s all the way win on June 13.

Acrobatic is one of the lesser fancies, but Jokic says the booking of Stanley is a big asset in a race which offers the winner a guaranteed start in the Cleveland Bay Hcp on August 3.

“If any of my horses are better suited with another jockey, I’m happy to sit in the grand stand and watch them win,” Jokic said.

“When I got him it was the first time he’d had a girl on him in his races and he was just too strong for me.

“After he went so hard on me in a 1200m race a couple of starts back I decided to try a stronger rider, who could hold him, and I booked Justin.

“He rode him a treat. He got him to come back underneath him and was able to get him home over the 1400m, which is probably as far as he wants to go.

“It’s a much tougher race on Tuesday, but with a strong tempo and a sit just off the pace I think he can be competitive.”

Acrobatic has been the flag ship runner for Jokic who returned to Townsville from Beaudesert in March to chase better opportunities as a trainer and a jockey.

Since the move north, Jokic has ridden 12 winners and won two races as a trainer.

Jokic acquired Acrobatic from top Eagle Farm trainer and Townsville product Kelly Schweida who won seven races with the gelding up to 1350m and $300,000 in prizemoney.

The six-year-old’s win at Cluden a fortnight ago was his first victory since April last year and followed three earlier placings at Cluden.

“He’s won five city races, and we thought he might measure up for a nice race up here if he could find a bit of his old form,” Jokic said.

“Kelly thought he still had ability there, but he’d reached his mark in town.

“There’s been excuses for him in most of his beaten runs here, so I was really pleased he was able to get the win last start.

“I’m not sure if he’s up to a Cleveland Bay but we might look at the Mackay Newmarket if he can keep performing well.”

Cluden trainer Les Gordy is expecting his two runners, Captain Bond, and Demon Award, to produce big runs in Tuesday’s feature sprint.

Both are down in the weights and primed to chase the Cleveland Bay Hcp golden ticket.

“I really can’t split them,” Gordy said.

“Demon Award’s bloods haven’t been right for a little while and he’s had feet problems but I couldn’t be happier with him for Tuesday.

“Captain Bond was electric with the big weight when he won in Mackay at his last start, which actually surprised me a bit.

“I expect them both to run really well.”

The Gordy “twins” have both won four races after joining his stable from NSW but not without problems.

Demon Award has bolted in a few of his runs and proven a handful for jockeys while Captain Bond has been difficult at the barriers.

Cairns veteran Full Recognition heads the weights with 62kg in a strong line-up that includes Missile Thunder, Gulf Of Lion, and progressive sprinters Northern Pride and Chilli Jam who both go into the race in peak form.

Pictured: Jockey change did the trick. Acrobatic hits some old form with Justin Stanley in the saddle with a win at Cluden on June 13., The duo will tackle a top class field in the feature race, the Ladbrokes Hcp (1200m) on Tuesday.

See the racing calendar for upcoming race days.