Victorian apprentice Jessica Booth is yet another interstate rider bound for the Northern Territory.
The 24-year-old from Wangaratta debuts in Alice Springs on Saturday and in Darwin on Melbourne Cup Day.
Hannah Le Blanc, a fellow Victorian apprentice, has ridden at both venues of late but won’t feature at Alice Springs, as she is heading to Traralgon.
Le Blanc and Booth are good friends, with both riding at Launceston on Friday.
“Hannah put me in touch with her manager Sam Murray, who then spoke to my manager Peter Meilak,” Booth said.
“I spoke to my manager, Hannah’s manager, my master Chris Ledger, Hannah and my partner and it seemed like a good idea.
“If you’ve been promised a full book of rides, especially at this time of year when it’s very competitive, you can’t really say no and I enjoy riding at new tracks and going interstate.
“I’d rather be on the plane than be in the car for six hours.”
Booth originally had six rides at Pioneer Park on Saturday, but it’s now five following a scratching.
It could prove a successful trip, as she will partner the Will Savage-trained Talent Quest in a 0-64 affair over 1000m.
The six-year-old gelding won three straight before finishing third in his past two starts, and with 56.5kg due to Booth’s 3kg claim, he is a genuine contender.
Savage’s Only The Best, set to run over 1200m in 0-66 grade, is Booth’s other best hope.
Booth, who also attends apprentice school in Melbourne, will ride in Darwin on Tuesday, but not before returning to Victoria to ride at Ballarat on Monday.
“Darwin just lumped in with Alice Springs, I don’t know who I’m riding as acceptances don’t come out until Friday,” she said.
“There’s actually a Wangaratta meeting on Tuesday.
“With six rides in Darwin compared to only a couple of rides in Wangaratta, I’d rather go up there and give it a crack.
“Hannah told me a little about the horses and what the Alice Springs track is like – I’ll have a bit of a look around when I get there.”
Debuting at Werribee in July last year, Booth boasts eight wins and 30 minor placings from 275 starts.
“I rode mostly in Victoria in the early days, then I started going over the border to NSW,” she said.
“The opportunity to go to Tassie came up and I’ve really enjoyed that, so I have been thinking that it would be nice to ride in other states as well and see what that’s like.
“I’m looking forward to riding in Melbourne one day.”
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