Darwin apprentice Emma Lines was on cloud nine on Friday after becoming the second Top End apprentice this year to win her first race in her first race start.
Endless trackwork, trials, travel and theory in recent years paid off when the 16-year-old punched home the Phil Cole-trained Looking For You ($5.50) to victory in the opening race at Fannie Bay.
And it was a faultless ride with the eight-year-old gelding leading from start to finish to end a drought extending back to May, when he won three straight in the tropical north.
Looking For You, unable to run a place in his past six starts from 0-64 to BM76 level, proved too good for his rivals over 1300m (BM54) after jumping from gate three, saluting by five lengths.
Darwin R1 replay | 9/12/2022 | Looking For You (1st)
Lines followed Jade Hampson, who won her first race as an apprentice on debut aboard the Tayarn Halter-trained Pointo’s Pick in a 1300m maiden at Fannie Bay in April.
Both Hampson and Lines claimed 4kg, with Pointo’s Pick, who finished fourth behind Looking For You on Friday, lumping 53kg and Looking For You carrying 55.5kg.
Hampson, 18, made an immediate impact in Darwin and Alice Springs, winning 13 races before relocating to South Australia in late September to further her education.
“Jade rode a few winners for Mr Cole while she was up here,” Lines said.
“We rode together for a while and I got to know her pretty well – she’s a nice girl.”
In her only other ride, Lines backed up in the second race and once again impressed with Cole’s six-year-old gelding Meadows Young Buck ($3.50) finishing a length behind Chris Pollard’s $5.50 winner Dream Weaver (Stan Tsaikos) and Cole’s $9 fast-finishing Great Boulder (Ianish Luximon).
Meadows Young Buck, who found the 1300m (BM54) a tad short, sat outside Dream Weaver for a major portion of the race before tiring in the closing stages.
Darwin R2 replay | 9/12/2022 | Meadows Young Buck (3rd)
The roar of the crowd when it was evident Looking For You was home will stay with Lines forever.
“It was an amazing feeling having my first ride and first winner – lot of nerves beforehand,” she said.
“There was a lot racing through my mind before the gates opened.
“I tried to take a deep breath and just count to 10 and make sure I knew exactly what my plan was and not to focus on the other horses jumping around next to me.
“I’m over the moon, I’m still trying to wrap my head around the day.
“I don’t think anything in my life compares to the excitement I felt.
“It unfolded so well, just a treat – I don’t think I could have done any better if I tried.
“It was way better than what I could have ever imagined, just the feeling, so happy I won and how happy everyone else was for me.
“It’s a bit hard to explain how you feel – so many emotions.
“It was a pretty awesome feeling having all those people support me and come watch me.
“I was just so happy for my team.”
And you can only imagine the reception when Lines, who couldn’t stop patting Looking For You, returned to the mounting yard.
“Everyone was crying, there was a lot of tears,” she said.
“I could hear them bellowing as I came past the post.
“A lot of congratulations and applause.
“I was just hugging everyone, and everyone tried to give me a hug.
“Yeah, mum (Rosa) and dad (David) were there, as well.
“Mum was bawling her eyes out, I could see dad’s lip going as well.
“They were just so happy for me – they just gave me a big hug.
“I’m pretty sure there were more people there than during the Darwin Cup Carnival from my family.
“It was such a nice feeling with everyone being there and supporting me – having that many people behind me it could not have gone any better.”
And when was Lines convinced Looking For You was home and hosed?
“Just past the 200m, I was pretty confident that I was home,” she said.
“I didn’t dare to look back and I was a little bit scared to look at the big screen as well.
“Fellow stable rider Wayne Davis always says never look back down the straight.
“Wayne gave me a hug and said to just enjoy the moment.
“The other jockeys were all so supportive and congratulated me, and were happy for me.
“I’ve also got so many notifications on my phone.”
And what did the boss have to say?
“Phil said you can retire now because it’s not going to get any better from here on,” Lines laughed.
“He said he was very happy with how I rode both horses.
“The plan was to jump and lead them up.
“They both panned out pretty much how my boss wanted them ridden.
“I did knock up after the first race – I was a bit exhausted in the last 50m, but managed to get my second wind on Meadows Young Buck.
“Phil said after the first you always knock up after your first ever race.
“I enjoyed my two rides on Friday, but I didn’t want to do any more after that as I was definitely knackered – I don’t think my body could have handled it.”
Lines celebrated with family, friends and the Cole stable on Friday night before fronting early for work the next day.
They’re back racing at Fannie Bay on Saturday, and the young apprentice is looking forward to it already.
“Nothing guaranteed yet, but I think I’m definitely riding for the Cole team,” she said.
“Can’t wait for it, pretty keen for it.”
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