Winning double for Jade Wakeling at Cambridge

By Jordyn Bublitz 

Jade Wakeling’s search for a breakthrough race day victory turned into a night she is unlikely to forget at Cambridge Raceway on Thursday, with the 22-year-old securing not just her first win, but a winning double.

After heading into the meeting with just seven race day drives to her name, Wakeling had both her winners for her employer, Stonewall Stud.

Her maiden victory came aboard Captain Moonlight in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Junior Driver Mobile Pace, with the four-year-old producing a dominant front-running performance.

Beginning quickly from barrier two, Wakeling wasted little time pushing forward to find the lead, where the pair controlled proceedings throughout before kicking clear in the home straight. Captain Moonlight never looked in danger as he paced away to score comfortably, capping the performance off with a slick 57.1 last half.

The victory brought obvious emotion for Wakeling, who admitted she had entered the night hopeful rather than expectant.

“It was a bit of a buzz!” she said.

“I was hoping that Captain Moonlight would go a good race, and I thought Cyamate would maybe run a place but I didn’t really expect him to win so safe to say I was pretty pleased!”

Later in the evening, Wakeling partnered Cyamate in the Hoarding Signs Available At Cambridge Raceway Mobile Pace, with the gelding enjoying a perfect run in the trail throughout.

Patiently driven, Wakeling angled Cyamate into the passing lane in the home straight, where the gelding dug deep to hold out a late surge from Messenger Buoy to score by a neck.

The winning double capped a memorable night for Wakeling, who credited her employer Steve Telfer, along with former Stonewall Stud co-worker and successful reinsman Josh Dickie, for playing major roles in her development.

“He was pretty happy,” Wakeling said of Telfer’s reaction following the victories.

“He’s been very supportive and made sure to put me on horses that suit.”

“Steve has really been my main mentor. He lets me make mistakes so I can learn from them.”

“When Josh Dickie was still here, he really encouraged me to go for my licence and he helped me quite a bit early on, so I’m very thankful for that.”

Wakeling, who only recently transitioned from trials to raceday driving, said her focus now was simply continuing to build opportunities and experience.

“I just want to get myself out there a bit more, it would be good to pick up some outside drives from other trainers, but I’ll just be going with the flow and grateful to take anything that comes my way.”

And while the young driver may still have been soaking in the biggest night of her driving career, both Captain Moonlight and Cyamate are already enjoying a well-earned break.

“The horses have come through good, they’ve both been sent out to the paddock this morning and they’re both running around bucking, they’re loving it!”