By Jordan Gerrans
Journeyman hoop Jason Lyon has settled into life in Townsville well and plans to remain and ride in the North Queensland city for the foreseeable future.
On the back of a successful campaign in the Northern Territory this year, the 40-year-old has recently relocated to Cluden Park to ply his trade, linking up with Tom Button’s satellite stable.
Lyon has hit the ground running in NQ, collecting winners at Ewan and Townsville so far, and expects to remain in the Sunshine State for the next six months at least.
Usually based in Melbourne, riding work for Michael Moroney, and flying in and out ride across the country, Lyon’s movements have been limited over the last 18 months with border restrictions.
Therefore, Townsville is likely to be home in the short term, instead of regular trips to Tasmania, the Northern Territory and around country Victoria.
“I am enjoying it here, I have ridden at a few meetings now, a few different types of tracks,” Lyon said.
“It is all going well.
“The way it is now, if I was flying back to Victoria from anywhere, I would have been really restricted with what I could do.
“I am really enjoying it; Townsville is a good city, and all the people are really good.
“I do not think I will be leaving Queensland for a while anyway, at least until the carnivals in Alice Springs and Darwin next year.”
Lyon landed in NQ in strong form, winning the Alice Springs Cup earlier this year, as well as the $70,000 Darwin Guineas over 1600 metres.
Former Brisbane-based trainer Brad Herne, who had a long association with Eagle Farm's Barry Baldwin, earlier this year was appointed to manage Button's emerging Townsville operation.