Mertens to ride at last four 2019 meetings
The lightweight jockey will be available to ride at the last four meetings of the current season, including the Colonial Chief Stakes meeting on the last day on 8 December.
Currently licensed by Racing Victoria, Mertens, will be at his second Kranji stint as he did fly in for a two-day licence in October 2018, scoring one win aboard Molineux from 10 rides.
Formerly apprenticed to former Kranji-based trainer Mick Kent, the son of former Melbourne jockey Peter Mertens has gone on to ride in excess of 300 winners in five years, including two at Group 2 level in 2017, Showtime in the Stutt Stakes and Snitty Kitty in the Caulfield Sprint, and 10 at Group 3 and Listed level.
Mertens claimed the Melbourne champion apprentice jockey title in the 2016/2017 season. He actually led that season's senior jockey's premiership for a long time, but was caught late by Melbourne multiple-champion jockey Craig Williams.
He finished 23rd on last season's premiership on 13 winners while his score throughout Victoria stood at 53 winners.
Mertens goes to scale at 52kgs.
