Young gun McMurray shooting for maiden stakes win

By Jordan Gerrans

Mick McMurray did not ride any further than his apprenticeship days in the early 1970s in Sydney but from his grandson Jace’s earliest years, Mick put him right where he needed to be to succeed. 

Mick has a treasured photo of him carrying Jace about 13 years ago in the Rosehill stables on former trainer Kevin Hayes.

Now based on the Gold Coast, Mick aimed to make his mark as a hoop in the big smoke and while he did for a year or so, his days riding in races were eventually numbered.

For his grandson on the other hand, his future in Sydney looks quite the opposite.

The talented youngster has hit the ground running in the Harbour City, nabbing seven winners since he headed south in early May.

Still a teenager, Jace recently ticked past 100 career winners and goes into Saturday’s Sydney meeting with a live chance of landing his maiden stakes-level triumph.

“He wants to make a future for himself,” Mick said of his promising grandson.

Apprenticed to up-and-coming conditioner Adam Campton on the Gold Coast, Jace took the provincial and country ranks in the Sunshine State by storm before heading to Sydney on a three-month loan to leading trainer Michael Freedman. 

There is every chance that loan deal will be extended. 

Jace has long been considered a star on the rise in the Queensland apprentice ranks and is on track to claim the apprentice premiership title on the provincial circuit this season.

Mick had been in Jace’s ear for some time about testing himself against the best there is in Sydney. 

Like his grandson, Mick started as a teenager in Sydney as an apprentice to Vic Thompson, the grandfather of current trainer John Thompson.

Mick rode in the city as well as the provincials for about a year.

While his tenure as a race riding jockey did not last long, he rode work for the best part of 25 years and along the way helped inspire his enthusiastic grandson into the saddle.

Like many young horseman, Jace started his journey to the races at pony club and was mentored by his pop.

“Growing up I watched a lot of races with my dad, but my pop was a big one,” Jace said.

“I knew it was going to be tough to become a jockey and my pop drummed that into me.

“He showed me the ropes, but he did not get in my way too much. He let me figure it out myself, but he was definitely a big influence.”

Jace rode a Saturday Rosehill winner late last month for his new master and earned his first Randwick winner (on the Kensington track) on Wednesday aboard Livin' Thing for the training team of John O'Shea and Tom Charlton.

Charlton was quick to praise Jace’s tactics post-race. 

“It was a nice patient ride from Jace,” the co-trainer said.

“He is making his mark in Sydney.”

Jace scored aboard Just Feelin' Lucky for his new boss late last month at Canterbury.

Freedman’s stable representative Sophie Johnson noted Jace’s performance after the win.

“It was absolutely perfect, he did a great job with her,” Johnson said.

“She is a horse that Jace has been riding at home, so he knows her well.”

Mick is most certainly a proud grandfather watching on from the Gold Coast. 

“He has done well,” Mick said.

“If you want to be the best, you need to ride against the best and that is what he is doing. He has got that determination; he wants to beat the best and I know that.

“Riding against the best riders, they will soon show him the way down there in Sydney as there is no making shortcuts down there.

“I am very proud of him and what he has achieved. Hopefully he can continue to have some luck and the sky is the limit for him.

“The harder you work, the luckier you will get.”

The 18-year-old will get a chance to take his career to the next level again on Saturday by claiming his maiden stakes race.

He will partner with Shahzad for the training team of Annabel and Rob Archibald in the Listed Winter Cup over 2400 metres.

As of Thursday morning, Shahzad is a $19 chance with the bookmakers after winning at the Gold Coast two starts back.

Like Mick, Jace’s father Troy is also full of admiration for the young McMurray.

“He is getting some good opportunities, which is great,” Troy said.

“Hopefully he can get a few home and if he could get his first stakes winner, that would be great.”

The booking of Shahzad is one of 10 engagements the young apprentice will have on Saturday at Rosehill Gardens.

Jace has all the traits of making it as a senior rider in Sydney, according to his beaming grandfather.

“He can sit on, that is for sure,” Mick said.

“He has got great balance and great hands, which he picked up early in his days.

“He is very natural and was like that from a young age. He has always had the fantastic hands and balance.

“He is a good thinker and if you watch him in races, you can see he is thinking the race out.

“He is a pleasure to watch, I know he is my grandson and I am going to say that, but he has his head is screwed on right.”

McMurray has links to the Coffs Harbour region of New South Wales in his younger years while also spending time living in Far North Queensland.