Apprentice continues impressive start to career

By Tony McMahon

Teenage Rockhampton apprentice Brooke Johnson continued her dream start as a jockey with another winning double at the bumper Middlemount race meeting last Saturday.

The 19-year-old was named the leading Middlemount Race Club jockey at the annual Cup meeting after riding two winners and as many placegetters on the five-race card.

It was the icing on the cake for the personable young hoop who has now ridden five winners in just three weekends of race riding.

At her debut outing at Thangool on July 10, Brooke made a dream start scoring a nine-length win on her master Benny Crear’s Grand de Lago.

Second-up at Emerald seven days later it got even better for Brooke as she rode a winning double on Imadgic and Attackabeel for premier Rockhampton trainer Clinton Taylor.

After Middlemount wins on Darryl Johnston’s Money Travels and Zoe Hohn’s Ruffin’It, Brooke pondered hopefully about favourite Grand de Lago’s prospects in the $12,500 Cup.

“After one win on my first day and then two on my second, it would be great to make it three wins on my third day of race riding”, she said gleefully.

Coming towards the home turn in the Cup, Brooke’s chances of that occurring looked strong when Grand de Lago held a commanding lead.

However, grand campaigner Barachiel played dream buster by charging past Grand de Lago at the 250 metres and relegating Brooke’s mount to second.

It was still a win situation for Brooke as the two points she earned for second placing was sufficient to win her title of leading jockey on nine points over Mark Barnham with eight.

“This is just so good,” Brooke said after being presented with her prize.

The occasion was made all the more special as Racing Queensland’s Industry Educator Jeff McKay was in attendance where he was tutoring Brooke and other apprentices.

“That is very special for Brooke. She is doing everything so well and looks likely to make a real impact and should go a long way," he said.

"She is a natural lightweight and that is a huge help.”

Senior Rockhampton jockey Tash Chambers ticked off a bucket list achievement at her first day of riding on the spacious 1600 metres Middlemount dirt track.

Tash won on Glenda Bell trained Schweid As in the BM 65 before her memorable Cup win.

“It certainly was a great day with the track in great order. The club went above and beyond to take care of the racing participants,” she said.

Chambers has ridden extensively particularly throughout Queensland while riding as well at Darwin and in New South Wales.

“You name it and I’ve probably ridden there in Queensland," she said downplaying that in fact she has ridden at an amazing 71 different racetracks mainly in remote areas as well as in the city centres.  

Established in the 80s, Middlemount is one of Queensland's newest race clubs, and winning Rocky trainer Alan Jones reminisced as he led in Saturday’s Class B victor Cinderella Man.

“I love coming out here. I won a double at their first meeting way back well over 30 years ago,” Jones said.