Apprentice Brooke Johnson wins trainer Nick Walsh's backing

By Glenn Davis

Emerging young trainer Nick Walsh has given rookie apprentice Brooke Johnson a vote of confidence with her booking for in-form sprinter Age Of Innocence at Emerald on Tuesday.

The 20-year-old Johnson has only been riding since July of last year but has already caught the attention of many Rockhampton trainers who regard her as one of the up-and-coming young riders in the region.

Johnson – who claims three kilograms - will now pick up many rides in the area from fellow apprentice Tahlia Fenlon, who has recently lost her country claim.

“Brooke has had three rides for me in the past and she’s coming along well,” Walsh said.

“She rides a lot of track work for me so I’m happy to help her out wherever I can.

“Tahlia has lost her country claim so Brooke’s three kilo claim will be very handy.” 

Johnson has only had 107 rides but has an impressive strike rate of 16 per cent with 17 wins and 51 placings.

Her winning ride for Walsh was aboard Rock The Box, who led all the way to win a maiden at Calliope on Boxing Day.

“She did everything right that day and stayed outside the leader and won by more than four lengths, so I can’t complain,” Walsh said.

Walsh is confident Age Of Innocence will again be hard to beat from barrier one on Tuesday at Emerald. 

“She’s only a tiny mare but she’s improved since her last win at Rockhampton and the three kilos off will help a lot,” he said.

“She’s drawn the rails but I don’t expect her to lead and she’ll probably take a sit as Aspen Lad is pretty fast and will likely leader her.”

Walsh purchased Age Of Innocence for $22,000 from Melbourne trainer Lloyd Kennewell when she was still a maiden and she has now won seven races for the Central Queensland trainer.

Walsh rates the Darryl Johnston-trained Aspen Lad as the one to beat in the Open Plate over 1000 metres. 

Aspen Lad has started 18 times for six wins and five placings with prize money earnings of $123,900.  

The five-year-old had his first start this campaign finishing fourth to the Roy Chillemi-trained High Realm over 1000 metres at Townsville on January 7.

Johnston is hoping to give Aspen Lad a couple of runs before aiming him for the Townsville Lightning during the northern winter carnival.

“We tried to get him into the Lightning last year but he got stuck under the fence in the enclosure at Mackay one day and flipped over,” Johnston said.