"Airborne": Why Jabez Johnstone will be the most in-demand jockey this winter

By Connor Scanlon

Apprentice jockey Jabez Johnstone from Tasmania has taken the racing world by storm in recent weeks.

After moving from Tasmania to Melbourne in order to form a partnership with Ciaron Maher, the 19-year-old hoop, who has a three-kilogram claim, has continued his development, even winning 11 of his past 28 races.

Looking into the winter, RSN form analyst Nick Noonan posed the question to his brother Trav: Will Jabez Johnstone’s three-kilogram claim see him as the most in-demand jockey this winter?

Trav was confident in his response, declaring the young hoop as the most in-demand jockey this winter.

“Clearly! He's got to be the man who's in the most demand!” he declared on RSN's Correct Weight.

“The problem for opposition stables to Ciaron Maher Racing is that they're going to be booking him in on everything, so he's not going to be that available given he's on loan to them.

“And clearly they’ve put a big investment in bringing Jabez over here from Tasmania.

“But his three-kilogram claim, I don't recall someone in the last 10 to 15 years, who has been as important as an apprentice during the winter as Jabez at the moment.”

Trav continued by claiming that Johnstone may even continue his miraculous form into the Spring Racing Carnival, maybe even winning a Group 1 along the way.

“He's genuinely in the conversation at the moment for the top 20 riders in the state,” Trav stated.

“He could continue this form into the spring too on some of those lightweight horses. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets on a good hope in something like the Cups or a Toorak Handicap.”

Nick also hailed praise on the Tasmanian, calling the 19-year-old “airborne”!

“He's absolutely flying,” Nick agreed.

“He's done a great job since coming over and getting the right opportunities, but you’ve got to deliver, and that's what he's done.

“Absolutely airborne!”