The Northern Territory could seal its first National Apprentice Races Series (NARS) title on Wednesday.
The fifth and final leg takes place at Doomben, and with two heats remaining it’s South Australia on 37 points leading from the NT (31).
Jade Hampson, Darwin’s third-year apprentice, will be seeking points after drawing Aces Up in a 2000m maiden and Under Twenty Two in a 1200m Class 1.
The 20-year-old represented the NT last Friday in Darwin after replacing suspended Top End apprentice Emma Lines.
Hampson had two seconds, succumbing to WA’s Rosie Mahony on each occasion.
NT had not participated in the NARS since 2014 before returning last year, when Hampson and Alice Springs pair Dakota Gillett and Ianish Luximon appeared in five of the six legs.
NSW did not feature in the NARS last year and Victoria pulled out this year, but it was during a heat at Sandown last April that Hampson dead-heated for first aboard The Maggstar.
Although she had no luck at Eagle Farm in 2023, Hampson’s Sandown success gives the NT hope on Wednesday having also won on debut at Darwin, Alice Springs, Broome, Kununurra, and Jamestown.
SA’s Rochelle Milnes is booked to ride In The Picture and then Zelgaria, and form suggests that Hampson has the better rides.
Aces Up has finished second in his past two starts, while Under Twenty Two boasts a second and a win after returning from a spell.
Hampson, who claims 1.5kg in the NT after 61 wins, can claim 3kg in Brisbane.
“I’m pretty happy with my rides,” she said.
“It will be good to experience Doomben, it’s always nice to try out new tracks.
“I like the NARS concept, it’s a good opportunity for apprentices to come here to Darwin and for us to ride interstate.
“Dakota rode at Murray Bridge, Lek (Maloney) went to Hobart and Ianish had success in Perth.
“Everyone who has represented NT has done well, hopefully Emma will get her opportunity next year.”
During the recent Alice Springs Cup Carnival, Hampson, Gillett, Maloney, Luximon and Lines all booted home a winner at Pioneer Park on Day 1.
Hampson is riding well and getting back to peak fitness following a fall last July prior to the Darwin Cup Carnival, with a back injury sidelining her until Melbourne Cup Day.
“I still have back issues – it hurts sometimes, other days it doesn’t,” she said.
“Getting back to full fitness was my main objective, I also wanted to improve my stamina.
“I’m now pulling up well after races and physically I feel a lot better.
“No more physio, but I’m still going to the gym every day.
“My riding has improved, I’m reading races a lot better.
“My master Tayarn Halter and other trainers have told me to be a bit more patient.
“They’ve been supportive in every way possible.”
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