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Third in first Group race a big thrill for Eaton

The last week in Singapore might not have quite gone to script, but Jessica Eaton still believes her overall experience at Kranji will put her in good stead in her future riding career back in Melbourne.

The Victorian apprentice jockey saw her original three-week (28 October to 17 November) as part of an exchange programme cut back by one week after she was rubbed out for three race meetings (one race meeting to be served in Australia) for careless riding aboard Dinghu Mountain at her second day at the office on November 3.

It was not the way Eaton, 26, had thought she would bow out, especially after everything had panned out so smoothly and she had thoroughly enjoyed her stay, on and off the track thus far, with a first Group ride her highlight. 

The 110-odd race winner can now boast two Singapore winners to her haul: Snip (November 3) for her Kranji master Daniel Meagher and Always Innocent for Shane Baertschiger – a record which had whetted her appetite for more, but the ban brought an abrupt end to the dream run.

The Gisborne girl has nonetheless kept her chin up, making sure she saw out the full tenure of the stint by continuing to ride trackwork in the morning before she flies home next Tuesday, her suitcase packed with wonderful memories and a few new skillsets.

"It's really opened up new opportunities for me and my career. I had the chance to ride in my first Group race here in the Group 2 EW Barker Trophy (1400m) last Friday," said Eaton.

"I rode Webster in trackwork and he actually gave me a good feel. On form, I thought maybe he was not good enough to run in the top three, but he exceeded my expectations with a third place (to Fame Star).

"I've also learned a lot from the races, they've sharpened me up. Dan has helped me a lot, he gave me so many rides and has guided me so much.

"I came here with the hope to ride at least one winner, and I've ridden two, which is massive.

"Obviously, the suspension was disappointing, but that's racing. I've kept riding trackwork this week for not just Dan, but also for Donna Logan, Mark Walker, Stephen Gray, and I thank them for their support.

"I'll ride trackwork until tomorrow, I will be at the races this weekend and will give myself couple of days of holiday before flying back home on Tuesday."

Eaton is the inaugural beneficiary of a new deal struck between the Singapore Turf Club and Racing Victoria where two apprentice jockeys from either jurisdiction swap workplaces for a short period of time.

Leading Kranji apprentice jockey Simon Kok Wei Hoong, who is already home and hosed in his bid for a first Singapore champion apprentice jockey title, but was recently slapped with three back-to-back suspensions for careless riding (won't be back until December), is the one selected to reciprocate the exchange programme in Melbourne.

The Ipoh-born rider will be on loan with leading trainers David Hayes & Tom Dabernig during the December racing break at Kranji.

"I've seen Simon around the traps and met him this morning at the apprentice jockeys' school. He spoke to me and I told him he'll be with the right trainer in Melbourne, David and Tom are great trainers," said Eaton.

"He'll get to ride at many different tracks and will also get to spend time at Euroa (Hayes & Dabernig's training centre)."

There is every chance the two will go head-to-head more than once around Victorian tracks with Eaton already looking forward to settling back into her backyard.

"The Spring Carnival just finished up. When I return, I'll be targeting both the metropolitan and country circuit," she said.

"I'm keen to see how the things I've learned here will help me find myself in the racing scene back home. This is also a good time for apprentices as a lot of senior riders go away for a break.

"I'll ask as many people as I can and I hope coming off the back of my success in Singapore, it'll open more doors.

"I'll be back riding for Chris (Meagher's elder brother to whom she is indentured in Mornington) and quite a fair bit for Mitchell Freedman as well.

"Mitch is a good up-and-coming trainer and his team is getting stronger and stronger."

Sad to leave a place she has just taken a liking to, Eaton hopes it was not farewell.

"I'd like to come back one day. I come out of my time in 1 ½ years and we'll see, I'd like to reapply for a licence one day," she said.

Meagher for one wished Eaton could have stayed longer as much more good could have come out from an extended tenure.

"I wish Jess could have stayed longer. Not only she would have learned a lot more, but the other apprentice jockeys as well," said the Australian handler.

"I think it was still a great initiative from the Singapore Turf Club and Racing Victoria to put this programme in place, and a big shout-out to Matthew Pumpa (STC riding coach) and Terry Bailey (STC Chief Stipendiary Steward) for getting it organised and for having made it possible.

"It gives both Jess and our young apprentice jockeys a good exposure much for the better of their own careers.

"Jess has proven to be an asset to us during her short stay here. She has her head screwed on the right way.

"I have no doubt Simon will be equally successful in Melbourne."