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Radecker lands first double in two years

Wednesday 25 August 2010
By Glenn Davis

Mandy Radecker showed her riding ability hadn't diminished despite a lack of city opportunities when she landed her first metropolitan double in more than two years at Eagle Farm on Wednesday.

Radecker, 24, won the Brisbane apprentices' title in 2007 but like most junior riders her city chances became limited once she forfeited her claim.

Radecker, who went to school at Gympie, turned down a university education to join trainer Pat Duff's stables as an 18-year-old.

"I got an OP score of three and could have gone to university but I needed an OP One to do veterinary science," Radecker said.

"Working with horses has always been my love and the next best thing than doing a vet course was to become a jockey and get paid for it."

Radecker has chalked up many kilometres since her days as an apprentice, regularly travelling to the provincials to make ends meet.

"I'm still riding for Pat but I mostly ride at the Gold Coast," Radecker said.

"I go to a lot of the provincials to ride. I went to Rockhampton to ride last week and I also rode in the Casino Cup as well."

Radecker's loyalty to Duff was rewarded when she scored aboard Spanish Fling in the Childhood Cancer Support Handicap (1000m) and Sophie's Special in the Ormiston College Handicap (1400m).

Radecker has no grand vision for her future and is prepared to chalk up more kilometres travelling in her quest for winners.

"I just want to ride winners and I don't care where I have to go," she said.

Meanwhile, Patinack Farm filly Wonderful Lass showed she had a bright future with her impressive victory in the Channel 7 Handicap (1000m).

Wonderful Lass, ridden by Stathi Katsidis, had only one runner behind her at the top of the straight before overhauling the leaders to down Executive Officer by 2-1/4 lengths.

"She really enjoyed being ridden quietly and it took her a while to wind up," Katsidis said.

"I liked the way she really motored to the line."

Trainer John Thompson's assistant in Queensland, Toby Edmonds, was unsure of the Catbird filly's future and wouldn't rule out her heading back to Sydney for the spring.

"She's won as a two-year-old on a Saturday and it looks like she's come back pretty good," Edmonds said.

"She was only a skinny filly last campaign but she's filled out a lot during her spell.

"It's up to the boss whether she goes back to Sydney."

Patinack Farm, owned by Nathan Tinkler, has been in fine form in the early part of the season signalling Thompson's intention to win the Brisbane trainers' premiership.

Patinack Farm will soon move its stable to Wadham Park in the Gold Coast hinterland.

The multi-million dollar complex was sold to Tinkler in a contra-deal, with former Wadham Park trainer Dale Sutton taking over Tinkler's stables at Ascot Court on the Gold Coast course.