No one can doubt the commitment of jumps jockey Brad Rantall. 
The Warrnambool-born and -raised Rantall got the monkey off his back at Casterton last Sunday, riding his first winner in six years. 
He guided I Could Do Better to victory in a highweight flat race after arriving back late on Saturday from New Zealand, where he’d ridden in a steeplechase at Riccarton.
“It’s been a hectic few days,” Rantall said. “I rushed out after the steeplechase to get back to the airport because I thought I might miss the plane. 
“I changed out of my riding gear at the airport just before I boarded. It was a real rush to get back to Melbourne but it all worked out.”
Rantall drove out of Melbourne at 6am on Sunday for three rides on the seven-race Casterton program. 
“I’m loving being back riding,” he said. 
“I’ve been back for three months. My weight ballooned out to 100 kilograms and now it’s down to 58. 
“I had stints working in the mines and as a stock-and-station agent while l was out of racing (with injury) but I really missed it. 
“I’ve had operations on both knees but everything appears to be right now. 
“I’ve been riding trackwork for (Cranbourne trainers) Clinton McDonald and Charlotte Littlefield. Both have been really supportive of my return to the sport.”
Rantall will ride at the last Victorian jumps meeting for the season, at Ballarat this Sunday, before riding in New Zealand’s final jumping races in September. 
He hopes to ride in flat races in country Victoria and Tasmania after the jumps seasons have concluded.
Wilde sees bright future
Last Sunday’s Casterton maiden hurdle winner Thurmond is likely to back up for top Warrnambool trainer Symon Wilde in this Sunday’s $50,000 benchmark 114 Gotta Take Care Hurdle.
The Ballarat meeting is the last jumps program for the 2026 season.
With Dean Parker aboard, Thurmond ($3.80) defeated favourite Zoom by three-quarters of a length at Casterton, with a 5¼-length gap to third.
Wilde said he’d closely monitor Thurmond’s condition during the week before making a final decision regarding a run at Ballarat.
“I was really happy with the Casterton win,” Wilde said. “He’d schooled up well over the jumps at home and we were quietly confident he’d run well. 
“He’s still learning about the jumping caper but he ticks a lot of boxes. He’s bred to stay and he likes soft-to-heavy conditions. I think he’s got a bright career in front of him over the jumps.”
Thurmond has won three of 12 flat races for Wilde, having had four winless starts for Ciaron Maher to begin his career.
Last Sunday’s win came at his first run over jumps.
Wilde is likely to saddle up Hit The Road Jack and Golden Garden in Sunday’s main race, the $350,000 Grand National Steeplechase.