Apprentice Kersley embracing Melbourne

Former WA apprentice Fred Kersley is embracing the opportunities in Melbourne with Lindsay Park.

Talented apprentice Fred Kersley is hoping to continue to make a mark in Melbourne having made the permanent move to the Lindsay Park stable.

Kersley initially transferred to Victoria from Western Australia on loan to the Lindsay Park team of David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig in early December but shortly afterwards spent six weeks out of the saddle with a thumb and elbow injury.

He returned to race riding in February and a win on the Lindsay Park-trained Miles Of Krishan at Flemington on Saturday was the 18-year-old’s 14th Melbourne city victory for the season.

Kersley said he had now officially transferred his apprenticeship to David Hayes’ Lindsay Park after the loan period.

“I’ve officially transferred over. A couple of weeks ago I signed my papers, so the boss is stuck with me now,” Kersley said.

“Melbourne is great. I’m loving it, but the weather not so much.

“I’ve got a great opportunity at my feet and getting winners like this for them is great.

“For the work that I put in and the support that I get, it means a lot to be riding winners at Flemington.”

Kerlsey went into Saturday’s race on Miles Of Krishan confident the mare could land her first win since October 2016, having put the writing on the wall when she finished in a dead-heat for second at Flemington on June 9.

“She ran really well first-up and really she has been flying at home,” Kersley said.