A winning double at Alice Springs on Saturday has Darwin-based Jade Hampson primed for Heat 5 of the National Apprentice Race Series at Eagle Farm on Wednesday.
The 19-year-old, who lost her 3kg claim after producing two super rides on Dick Leech stablemates Halgard and Write Your Name at Pioneer Park, will be making her Brisbane debut.
“I’m looking forward to it, I’m really excited and it will be a good experience,” she said.
“Mainly looking forward to riding the other way – never ridden that way before.”
Having only raced anti-clockwise in the NT, WA and SA, Hampson gets to ride clockwise when partners Tersane for Eagle Farm trainer Barry Lockwood over 1200m (Class 1) and Rising Fire for Sunshine Coast trainer Billy Healey over 1600m (Class 1).
Tersane, a five-year-old gelding, is a last-start winner and unluckily drew the outside gate in the 12-horse field, while Rising Fire, a four-year-old gelding, featured during the 2022 Darwin Cup Carnival, finishing second in the Darwin Guineas (1600m) and third in the NT Derby (2050m).
“I’m familiar with Rising Fire as he was with trainer Garry Lefoe before Billy Healey arrived in Darwin and I rode him in track work,” Hampson said.
Although she wasn’t representing the NT, Hampson rode in Heat 1 of the NARS at Fannie Bay in the Top End (March 4) and won the first leg over 1200m (BM54) on Thunder Peak for trainer Gary Clarke before coming third on Tayarn Halter’s Real Reason over 1100m (Class 2).
Fellow Darwin rider Emma Lines looked set to win the first leg on Archie James (Chris Nash) – even after the saddle had slipped – before Thunder Peak pounced along the rails to win by a nose.
“I felt bad after the race because Emma was rolling in up the straight and I was coming up the inside and I was yelling at her,” Hampson said.
“Once I got up next to her I had a look to my side and saw that her saddle had slipped, so I guess it was unfortunate for her and lucky for me.”
Darwin NARS Heat 1 – Thunder Peak (1st)
Lines ended up suffering heat stroke and didn’t ride for the rest of the day, with Hampson taking the ride on Real Reason.
Aligned to the highly competitive Halter stable in Darwin, Hampson said it was a good experience to ride Thunder Peak for the ever-dominating Clarke yard for the first time.
“Pre-race when talking to Gary was a highlight, it was really good,” she said.
“He was quite thorough about how he wanted his horse ridden – we went through it all.”
Alice Springs’ Dakota-Lee Gillett was riding for points for NT in Darwin, while fellow Red Centre apprentice Ianish Luximon appeared in Heat 2 at Belmont (March 15) and Heat 4 at Strathalbyn (March 22) – the NT did not send a rider for Heat 3 at Hobart (March 19).
Hampson, booked to ride in Heat 6 of the NARS when it winds up at Sandown (April 19), has been watching Eagle Farm races and replays to prepare for her Queensland sojourn.
“Yeah, I’ve been watching a lot lately – ever since I found out that I was going to go there,” she said.
“I’ve just been watching how they ride there and obviously it’s a long straight, so it will be different.
“Got to ride a lot more patient.
“Looking forward to riding and the races on grass go a lot slower.
“I like the grass, yeah.
“In Darwin, you didn’t know what tactics the interstate apprentices would employ.
“We’re all still learning and a lot of the riders were coming from the grass tracks down south.
“It was interesting because they weren’t used to the fast pace and they’re used to riding a lot tighter, but it ran really smoothly and everyone rode really well.
“With the dirt at Darwin and Alice Springs, obviously the kick back is also an issue.
“It’s hard to ride through at times and horses sometimes don’t handle it.”
Late last year, Hampson spent three months in SA riding for the Richard and Chantelle Jolly stable in Adelaide, and apart from riding for other trainers and at various tracks she had the chance to debut at Morphettville on Melbourne Cup Day.
“It was hailing and raining, so it wasn’t great conditions,” the teenager said.
“I really enjoy going to the bigger tracks.
“When I went to Morphettville, it’s also nice to go to those jockey rooms, it’s all set up different, a lot bigger, and the atmosphere is great.”
Hampson, with 30 wins from 177 starts, leaves for Brisbane on Tuesday.
“I’ve got to go via Sydney, so it will be a bit of a trip to get there and then settle in, have a look at the track and then go to the races the next day,” she said.
“I’m in Alice Springs, I’m actually based here for the next five weeks for the Cup Carnival.
“After Brisbane, I will fly to Darwin for the Friday meeting and then back to Alice for the Saturday meeting – getting the frequent flyer points up.”
The Halter stable has taken a team to Alice Springs for the Cup Carnival, and although riding for her boss is a priority, Hampson networks with other NT trainers such as the in-form Leech.
“I’m riding a lot for Dick, he has got me in the stable and he’s been a good support, so it’s great for me,” Hampson added.
“It was terrific to get those two winners on Saturday – back in the winner’s circle – haven’t had a winner for a little while.
“I don’t mind Alice Springs – treats me well.
“I was just lucky enough to get on those horses, but now the 3kg claim is gone – I’m down to 2kg now.”
Hampson was the Top End’s leading apprentice for the 2021/22 season with six wins and was only pipped by Luximon on a countback as the leading apprentice in the Alice Springs premiership with six wins.
More horse racing news
