3 minute read
Melbourne apprentice jockey Jessica Eaton was clearly not letting a three-day suspension for careless riding at her short Singapore stint dampen her spirits after she produced a gem of a frontrunning ride aboard Always Innocent on Friday night.
Eaton began her three-week exchange programme (Simon Kok Wei Hoong will reciprocate with a stay in Melbourne during the December break) with a bang with Snip for her short-term master, Daniel Meagher, at her second day at the office (or should we say in class) last Sunday.
But her ride aboard Dinghu Mountain the same day incurred the wrath of the Singapore Stewards. She was able to ride this weekend, but with the deferred suspension taking effect from next week, her last Kranji meeting will effectively be on the Dester Singapore Gold Cup day on Sunday.
The young lass was of course disappointed her stay was cut short by one week, but going with her big smile after she jumped off Always Innocent after the running of the $50,000 What Now 2012 Stakes, a Class 4 Division 2 race over 1200m on Polytrack, it is clear Chris Meagher's (Daniel's elder brother who is based in Mornington) apprentice jockey is a half-full glass type of person.
"It's a pity I will miss the last three meetings, but overall, I've really learned a lot from my stay here," said the 26-year-old eventer-turned-jockey who is licensed at Kranji until November 17.
"I believe it will make me a better rider, a sharper rider. I've still got rides on Sunday, so I'm hoping to ride a few more winners before I leave.
"I will still hang around and ride trackwork next week, observe how things are done and take in as much as I can.
"With tonight's winner, I wanted to settle in fourth or fifth position, but I was not pressured, so he got to the front easily.
"I was able to get a soft lead and he kicked clear nicely in the straight."
Trainer Shane Baertschiger's assistant-trainer Scott Bailey will for one be sad to see Eaton head home soon.
"Jess rode the horse a treat. She took the lead by using her own initiative," said Bailey.
"From the way she rode, it looks as if she has been riding here for 10 years!"
A four-year-old by Medaglia d'Oro, Always Innocent ran on for fourth at his last start, failing in his bid for a three-in-a-row, but has now resumed his triumphant march in impressive fashion.
Widening his lead once Eaton slipped some reins from the 500m, Always Innocent ($36) went on to romp home by 2 ¼ lengths from Legend Rocks (Ruan Maia) with Implement (Louis-Philippe Beuzelin) third another length away. The winning time was 1min 11.2secs for the 1200m on the Polytrack.
Always Innocent has now taken his record to three wins from 11 starts for stakes earnings around the $65,000 mark for the Bingo Stable.
