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A strong work ethic is something Zac Wadick learned from one of the great producers of star apprentices in recent times and he knows that’s what is required if he's going to make his mark when he joins the Brad Widdup stable after Christmas.
A strong work ethic is something Zac Wadick learned from one of the great producers of star apprentices in recent times and he knows that's what is required if he's going to make his mark when he joins the Brad Widdup stable after Christmas.
The 21-year-old had a clear path set out for him by former boss Mark Newnham to make his way to into the city riding ranks but that all changed when Newnham moved to Hong Kong earlier this year.
"It was the plan to go back to Mark, he was such a great boss to be working for,'' Wadick said.
"He had a system in place and you were expected to work hard and be dedicated. He was steering you in the right direction but it was up to you to do it.
"He always said you have to be a jockey 24/7 not just when acceptances come out.
"I just wanted to follow in the footsteps of Tom Sherry, Robbie Dolan and Tyler Schiller. I wanted to be like them, and was hoping after my country claim was done I could go back and do what they did."
Wadick, who will arrive at Widdup's Hawkesbury stable on December 27, notched his first city winner earlier this month on the Kim Waugh -trained Oxford Vision and he's hoping to post another on the gelding in the Ranvet Handicap (1100m) at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Few things went to plan for Wadick on the five-year-old at Canterbury but he arrived in time to score in the last start in a win that the apprentice says is so much better than it reads.
"We went to Plan B last start. Kim didn't want me so far off them, but it wasn't the way it worked out,'' he said.
"He jumped okay but the pace of the race was fast early and I had the option to hug the rail but it was a pair too far back.
"I think if he did settle closer he wins more comfortably. Even though it was a tight margin there's still plenty of improvement in him."
Oxford Vision, $8.50 with TAB on Tuesday, stays in Benchmark 72 grade so he rises 2.5kg for the win even after Wadick's 3kg claim and a little rain around doesn't faze the young hoop.
"It's still a lot of weight to carry but it's good that he can handle that sting out of the ground,'' he said.
Wadick rode his first career winner for Newnham on Formeinaway at Nowra back in July 2021, a couple of months later he guided recent Coal Crusher to his maiden win.
He's the son of former jockey and trainer Adam Wadick and will move into the Widdup stable having been indentured to Glen Milligan at Taree since Easter 2022.
Both moves have been on the advice of Corey Brown and while it's not all been smooth sailing he's closing on 100 career winners and now has the grounding to take the next step.
"I put in a few bad rides and lost some good opportunities that were given to me, that extended my country stay, but we've clawed our way back,'' he said.
"There's been some ups and downs but Glen's been such a good boss. He doesn't have a big team but the support he's given me, and the confidence, is worth its weight in gold.
"Brad's team is a lot bigger, so if it worked with Glen I dare say it will work with Brad."
