Jackson Murphy takes next career step

Apprentice Jackson Murphy will begin the next stage of his career at Saturday metropolitan meetings.

Apprentice jockey Jackson Murphy has picked up some key rides as he begins the next phase of his career at Doomben.

Murphy rode with success in the NSW Northern Rivers before joining Eagle Farm trainer Chris Anderson last year.

He has been riding at the Gold Coast on most Saturdays and the metropolitan midweek meetings in recent months.

Murphy showed his ability to win the Apprentices Challenge race on O’Reilly Cyrus at Doomben last week.

He is able to ride at 48kg which means he can claim his full 3kg in all metropolitan races.

Murphy, who has ridden 65 overall winners this season, will use his claim on key rides Kuttamurra Al (Benchmark 80), Sabkha (Open Handicap), Prioritise (Benchmark 85) at Doomben on Saturday.

Anderson said Murphy would be concentrating on metropolitan Saturdays from now on.

“He has given himself a solid base by riding at the provincial and midweek meetings to build up contacts,” Anderson said.

“He has plenty of time to go in his apprenticeship so it is up to him now.”

Victorian apprentice Mitchell Aitken will also test the waters for a Queensland career at Doomben on Saturday.

Aitken, who has ridden 109 winners overall and 32 this season, has three rides at Doomben including top chance Honey Toast for trainer Ben Currie in the Benchmark 80 Handicap.