Jockey Zac Spain, ‘Zachariah the Electrifier', targets darts glory
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.'
Originally published as Jockey Zac Spain – 'Zachariah the Electrifier' – targeting darts glory
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