She missed last year’s Darwin Cup Carnival with injury, so apprentice Jade Hampson is understandably looking forward to the 2024 event starting this weekend.
And the 20-year-old is flying after winning doubles at Darwin on Saturday and Alice Springs on Sunday.
After partnering Neil Dyer’s Ziggi Rocks and Garry Lefoe’s Canton Kid at Fannie Bay, Hampson saluted aboard Yannick Valenti’s Get Out Mick and Dan Morgan’s Boy Big at Pioneer Park.
It was ROANT Gold Cup Day on Saturday, and it was in the opening race over 1600m (0-70) that the third-year apprentice won on Ziggi Rocks.
Wind the clock back 12 months ago, and it was in the very same race that Hampson was dislodged from Paul Gardner’s Glacier Grey.
Hampson injured her back, while Glacier Grey was sadly euthanised after fracturing its near fore leg.
For the next four months, Hampson received treatment after suffering five fractures in her spine from the C7 (cervical vertebrae) to the T4 (thoracic vertebrae) before returning on Melbourne Cup Day.
“The year has gone quick, but I’m definitely back to full strength,” Hampson said.
“The recovery took a bit longer than I expected, but I’m feeling at my best and I’m really looking forward to Carnival.
“It probably wasn’t until earlier this year that I started feeling comfortable in the saddle, I wasn’t having much trouble with my back.
“I still go to the chiropractor every week and get the occasional massage.
“There’s always going to be something that’s there for life, but I feel like my back is at a level now that I can tolerate and manage a lot more easily.”
Hampson, an Alice Springs Cup winner who has represented the NT in the National Apprentice Race Series, will partner Super Defense for her boss Tayarn Halter in the $75,000 Darwin Guineas (1600m) this Saturday.
Super Defense, from Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou’s Rosehill stable, caught the eye first up when second behind He’s Maverick over 1300m (BM66) on June 22.
With 80 career wins, Hampson (17), who still claims 1.5kg, sits third behind Jarrod Todd (49) and fellow apprentice Emma Lines (27) in the Top End and Country premiership.
Apart from her commitment to the Halter stable, Hampson also has strong links with the Chole Baxter and Garry Lefoe stables.
She hopes to continue her association with Baxter’s He’s The Ultimate, fifth in last year’s Darwin Cup (2050m), after they combined to finish second behind Wolfburn in Saturday’s ROANT Gold Cup (1300m).
And has her fingers crossed that she will keep the ride on Canton Kid, a Palmerston Sprint (1200m) aspirant, after he also made a successful return over 1000m (0-76) on Saturday.
Halter and Lefoe have potential Darwin Cup prospects following the arrival of Makbeel from Pakenham trainer Reece Goodwin and Cormorant, who has raced in Ireland and England, from Warrnambool trainer Maddie Raymond, respectively.
Hampson, who has also had success at Sandown, SA and WA, and who rode at Eagle Farm and Doomben during the NARS, has hinted that she could relocate following the Darwin Cup Carnival.
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