Jockey Zac Spain – ‘Zachariah the Electrifier'
A professional jockey is not your typical darts player stereotype but Zac Spain has mixed with the best of both worlds.
Spain, or 'Zachariah the Electrifier' on the competition circuit, has a dream exhibition match-up next month against Shane McGuirk, the reigning WDF world champion.
Spain, an avid thrower off the track, won a tournament in March for the shot at McGuirk on July 19 at the St Kilda Sports Club.
The 28-year-old tuned up last weekend with solid performance at the three-day DartPlayers Australia event in Albury.
'I was more than competitive, which was good,' dartboard sniper Spain said.
'I made quarter-finals Friday and then I made top 16 in both events Saturday.
'I got knocked out first round Sunday but I had my chances to go further … probably nerves got to me a little bit, to be honest, a little bit of pressure, but I was rapt.
'I wanted to see how I went against the best in Australia and I felt like I held my own.'
Group 1 jockey Spain played darts from an early age, followed his father into the sport growing up in the Northern Territory, and made junior representative squads but eventually racing took priority.
Spain picked up the arrows again two years ago and now spends about three hours a day behind the oche.
'I love it, something outside of racing,' Spain said.
'Every day I'm not riding, I'm pretty much on the board.
'Even at night, my partner Tyrah is studying at the moment, so when she's downstairs I'm upstairs having a throw on the board.'
Spain plays competition darts on Wednesday and Thursday nights respectively in Gladstone Park and Boronia.
Spain, who also plays online for fun and bragging rights against brother Adrian, has the social media alter ego, The Darting Jockey, on Instagram and TikTok.
The 'Electrifier' nickname is saved for main events only.
'My old man gave me the name when I was younger,' Spain laughed.
'My full name is Zachariah and he used to call me 'Zachariah the Electrifier'.
'I got a shirt made up with the name on the back and I wear it to the bigger events … it's a bit lairy.'
Spain has seven rides on Saturday including Losesomewinmore, one of three for leading Adelaide trainers Richard and Chantelle Jolly who recently opened satellite stable at Flemington.
'He's a nice horse, I had a little gallop on him Tuesday and put him through his paces,' Spain said.
'He worked up super.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
23 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Kembla preview: Local trainer Kerry Parker quietly confident in both home track quartet and city runner's chances
Local trainer Kerry Parker is optimistic of a good days racing, not just about the chances of his home track quartet but also his lone city runner. Parker has a good opinion of lightly-raced three-year-old Wild Thoughts who made his debut at Kembla back in January when third behind Modella. Put away, the Proven Thoroughbreds-owned son of So You Think has returned in very good order with an all-the-way trial win on his home track last month. 'That was a terrific preparation for him last time in,' said Parker. 'He trialled nicely at Warwick Farm and then ran well on debut before going for a spell. 'It was good education for him and this is now the start of his first real preparation.' Parker's confidence was dented a little when Wild Thoughts drew barrier 11 in the Midway Maiden Handicap (1200m). Miss Stalwart motors home to win Race 5 at @Sapphireturf! @nickoliveracing @quaydek â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 8, 2025 'Unfortunately, he has drawn a bad gate so he is going to need some luck. 'We will just have to ride him conservatively early with cover. 'If the race is run at a suitable tempo, I expect him to finishing strongly and make his presence felt.' Parker was tickled pink with the first-up run of Tom Cruising when runner-up behind Miss Stalwart at the Sapphire Coast over an unsuitable distance. He feels the son of American Pharoah is in with a great chance when he steps up to his ideal distance in the Benchmark 68 Handicap (1600m) where he has drawn barrier 3. 'It was the first time I have ever run him over 1200 metres and it was a sensational run,' he said. 'I only took him there because it looked a nice race to start him off in on soft ground on a big track. 'He zipped up the inside really well in the straight. 'He has come back this time in a good frame of mind and is feeling well so I have no problem stepping him out to a mile which is more to his liking. 'I expect him to run really well again.' Why Why Why ran well on debut when third to Jared at Goulburn and followed up with a two-and-a-quarter length sixth to Shalaa Jet at Wyong. With a big drop in weight thanks to the 4kg claim of stable apprentice Ryan Bradley, the three-year-old gelding should be very competitive in the Maiden Plate (1600m). Jared gets the win for @kimwaugh6 in race 7 at Goulburn with @AshMorgan6 in the saddle! ðŸ'� â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 22, 2025 'He is still learning his trade. He's only a little fella so getting the four kilo apprentice on will definitely help him,' Parker said. 'I was really pleased with his first run at Goulburn. 'We probably tried to ride him a bit cute and make use of the inside barrier at Wyong last start. 'They ran along the first half of the race pretty slick and he was under pressure a fair way out. I think they ran something like nine lengths faster than the other mile race for the first half (mile). 'He kept grinding away and wasn't beat that fare so he still went alright.' Bradley will also partner the stayer Cosmos Factory who resumes in the Class 1 Handicap (1400m). 'Naturally he will be better as he gets out over more ground but it looks a nice enough race for him,' said Parker. 'With that weight off his back, he could run a place in a race like this with no surprise.' Parker's day starts off at Randwick with consistent mare Callistemon in the Midway Handicap (1600m). 'Callistemon and Let's Go Again have been running on alternate weeks and placed in the last four (Midways) between them.
News.com.au
23 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Kembla best bets, inside mail for Saturday, June 21, 2025
Racenet and The Daily Telegraph form analyst Adam Sherry provides his best bets and race-by-race analysis for Kembla and best bets for Queanbeyan on Saturday. The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. â– â– â– â– â– KEMBLA BEST BET Race 4 No. 3: SPACEBALLS Will benefit from her first-up run and well placed down in grade. NEXT BEST Race 3 No. 3: CUBAN RAIN Broke through with a nice win last start and can go back-to-back. VALUE BET Race 7 No. 7: ALLEGRO MISS Back to provincial grade after two runs in town. QUADDIE Race 4: 1, 5 Race 5: 3, 7, 11 Race 6: 1, 5 Race 7: 2 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW Comeback jockey BROCK RYAN has good book of rides and looks hard to beat in the TAB Jockey Challenge. â– â– â– â– â– QUEANBEYAN BEST BET Race 1 No. 11: VESCOVI Narrowly beaten at Wagga last start. Can go one better. NEXT BEST Race 5 No. 9: MISS INDI Broke her maiden in good fashion last start. Chance again. INSIDE MAIL – KEMBLA JAMARNI (2) was runner-up behind his stablemate Cuban Rain over 1300m on a heavy track here on June 3 and followed with a solid third to Caelus at Hawkesbury. Good chance to break through. WHY WHY WHY (4) was good on debut when third to Jared at Goulburn. Battled away okay when sixth to Shalaa Jet at Wyong. Gets in well with the 4kg claim. SO LONG FAREWELL (3) has claims on his second to Kundabung on the Kensington. GAMBLER (3) has always trialled well but hasn't delivered. He was caught wide at Newcastle last start. Won both recent trials nicely and time to show it on race day. CODENAME (2) is a first starter by Hanseatic. Was okay when third in his first trial here on May 12. Took benefit from the experience and was very good leading all-the-way to a near four length win in his second 17 days later. COSMIC EAGLE (6) was a handy third to First Landing on debut at Newcastle. CUBAN RAIN (3) showed a glimpse last preparation when a strong closing second to Rybakina over 1400m here. Kicked off this campaign with a third to Winner Of Kowloon before a smart win from Jamarni. Good chance again. JARED (2) had been runner-up six times with a number of close finishes. Finally broke through at Goulburn first-up before failing on the heavy track at Newcastle. Can bounce back. BUTTERFLY STYLE (5) dug deep to run down Rubilace in a tight finish at Sapphire Coast last start. SPACEBALLS (3) will take improvement from his first-up fourth to Mia Ballerina in a Bm64 at Canterbury. Scored a good win at Warwick Farm first-up last time in followed by a close third at Rosehill. Well placed dropping back to a Class 1. POINT SCORE (6) started third favourite on debut when down the track behind Rivellino at Randwick in January. Returned with a stylish win over 1000m here on May 31. HIPPOLYTE ROCK (2) has claims on his Super Maiden win at Newcastle before a spell. RAINBOW GODDESS (3) had a tough run out wide and was no match for Ninagloo Reef but held on for second when resuming at Hawkesbury. Had a bit of trouble getting a clear run on straightening when a nose second to Inncourt at Wyong. Can give this a shake. WILD THOUGHTS (1) did a nice job on debut when third behind Modella here back on Jan 29. Resumes here off a hard held all-the-way trial win. Wide gate the concern. BORDER TOWN (9) will take improvement from his first-up third here on June 3. UP AND UNDER (1) will appreciate a drop back in grade from two placings at Warwick Farm. Led from a wide gate when third to Knights Armour then tracked leader when third to Trapalanda over 2200m. Gets in well with the 4kg claim. PIPLUP (4) finished seventh in that race behind Trapalanda beaten two-and-a-half lengths. His two wins were over this trip, one of the at The Valley last November. ANT (5) got home well for a close third to Dark Arts at Canterbury second-up before a win over this track and trip. ALLEGRO MISS (7) scored a strong closing win in a Class 1 at Newcastle before jumping up to Midway company and not beat far in both goes. Best form is on wet tracks but she has placed on a Good 4. DIAMOND SHOW (6) followed a second to Bella Montagna here before back-to-back wins at Hawkesbury and Wyong. Chance for the hat-trick. TOM CRUISING (9) produced a good effort for second over 1212m at the Sapphire Coast first-up. Will appreciate stepping up to the mile where he has won twice. AUDENZIA (9) was wide early before getting outside the leader then going to the from on turn when just caught by Twilight Elegance here two runs back. Similar story here two weeks later when just beaten by Charleroi. Due for a win. STEEL RAIN (6) is also closing in on a win after three placings this time in. Narrowly beaten at Goulburn before a two length second to Unusual Prospect in a Gosford Super Maiden. CHEEKY DANCER (10) was third at Hawkesbury before being beaten a nose on a Good 4 in a Super Maiden at Tamworth. Not far behind the placegetters at her two runs since.
Sky News AU
27 minutes ago
- Sky News AU
AFL: Gold Coast Suns intent on keeping Sam Flanders
Suns coach Damien Hardwick has suggested rival clubs shouldn't waste their time trying to lure midfielder Sam Flanders away from the Gold Coast. Flanders, 23, is contracted to the Suns until the end of the 2027 AFL season; however, reports have emerged that St Kilda and some other Victorian clubs are keen to bring Flanders back to his home state sooner. However, Hardwick has no intention of letting go of the Gippsland product. 'We're not in the business of trading our very best players, so Sam Flanders won't be going anywhere,' the Suns coach said on Friday. 'I've got a real soft spot for Sam. He's one of my favourites. He's been really challenged this year with injury but … we're really positive about his back end of the year. 'He's the solution for us. He's an outstanding player. When he plays at his very best with Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson and Touk Miller … we're a different side.' Flanders isn't the only Suns star being reportedly chased by Victorian clubs, with off-contract on-baller Rowell and forward Ben King also linked with moves south. However, Hardwick said the Suns – who have won eight from 12 this season ahead of their clash on Sunday against the GWS Giants at Engie Stadium – were set to become a club that top players from other teams would want to join in a similar way to fellow Queenslanders and reigning premiers Brisbane. 'We've got to make sure this is the very best environment for players,' the former Richmond three-time premiership-winning coach said, 'We've got opposition clubs speaking to our players and we're speaking to opposition players. 'We want to keep our very good players, (and) we're also happy to take a few as well.' Hardwick's Suns are hoping to avoid a third successive defeat on Sunday after suffering back-to-back loss before their bye last weekend. 'We're really bullish about how far we can go,' he said ahead of the 'next shift' in the Suns' battle to play finals football for the first time. 'We've put to bed the first part of the year. This part of the year is really important. The contenders stand up and the pretenders fall away. That's the challenge from here on in. 'We're really excited about the next block of four games (against the Giants, Melbourne, Essendon and Collingwood) that's going to present an opportunity for us. 'We're firmly zone in on what that looks like. We've got some areas of our game that we really like, but we've certainly got a lot of improvement left in us as well.' Originally published as Gold Coast Suns star Sam Flanders isn't 'going anywhere' despite interest from Victorian clubs
