Inspiration from a mate\u2019s fighting spirit could propel the son of a former Group 1-winning jockey to gold at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.<\/p>\n
Jacob Cassar, the son of former Melbourne jockey Eddie Cassar, was one of eight boxers selected to represent Australia at the Commonwealth Games, which begin in late July.<\/p>\n
Cassar is the only Victorian boxer and one of two 19-year-olds that made the team after a gruelling qualifying tournament in Canberra.<\/p>\n
\u2022 PUNT LIKE A PRO:<\/a> Become a Racenet iQ member<\/a> and get expert tips \u2013 with fully transparent return on investment statistics \u2013 from Racenet\u2019s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips<\/a> section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI had selection trials about six months ago at the AIS and I had to fight six times in seven days to qualify. It was a massive tournament,\u201d Cassar said.<\/p>\n Cassar spends as much time as possible overseas, gaining experience fighting in the 65kg weight class, but has never forgotten his racing roots.<\/p>\n Cassar grew up alongside Tom Prebble<\/a> and Jett Stanley<\/a> as the trio\u2019s fathers rode together on the Melbourne jockeys\u2019 circuit in the 1990s and 2000s.<\/p>\n Prebble\u2019s riding career sadly ended when he sustained spinal injuries in a fall at Warrnambool last spring.<\/p>\n Cassar said the way Prebble has fought in his rehabilitation has inspired him in his quest to represent Australia at the highest possible levels of his sport.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2019Tom is a massive inspiration to me and I see him as my brother,\u201d Cassar said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I\u2019m in the country, I love getting some lunch with him or get a coffee.<\/p>\n \u201cBoth of them are like brothers to me. I\u2019m pretty close with both of them.\u201d<\/p>\n Cassar has won 57 of 65 fights and is yet to lose in Australia <\/p>\n He said his father had been a significant part of the big team that\u2019s behind him, which has helped Cassar to win fights in Brazil, England, Spain in Lithuania as well as his home country.<\/p>\n Another round of international competition will give Cassar a lead-in to the Commonwealth Games.<\/p>\n \u201cDad doesn\u2019t claim the credit but we do it all together and we\u2019re a great team,\u201d Cassar said.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s my coach at Lions\u2019 Den in Sunbury and my dad does all my fitness for me. It\u2019s a massive team and working well.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m off to China in three weeks for another World Cup there. Then I go to Belgium, then Ireland and straight to Glasgow to get as much international experience as I can.<\/p>\n \u201cFingers crossed, I can go over there and get gold.\u201d<\/p>\n Dreams require funding and several racing identities, including former Victorian Jockeys\u2019 Association boss Des O\u2019Keeffe and the VJA, have donated to Cassar\u2019s fundraising efforts through the Australian Sports Foundation.<\/p>\n Cassar was grateful for the support.<\/p>\n \u201cUnfortunately, boxing is not a funded sport so I\u2019m funding it myself,\u201d Cassar said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m fortunate to have mum (VRC executive Bec Cassar) and dad supporting me but we\u2019ve got that fundraiser going and I\u2019m very grateful to everyone that has supported me and helping me on the journey.\u201d<\/p>\n Those wishing to support Cassar\u2019s bid for Commonwealth Games gold by making a tax deductible donation should visit asf.org.au\/campaigns\/jacob-cassar-jacob-cassar-2026-commonwealth-games<\/a>.<\/p>\n