Hosking excited by Albion Park Rising Stars test for Jen’s Joy

By Pat McLeod

Talented young trainer Jamie Hosking is excited about the next ‘growth spurt’ of his tenacious chaser Jen’s Joy, which starts with her debut from the one box at Albion Park in a heat of the age-restricted Rising Stars on Thursday night.

Fresh from a sensational third in the Group 1 Ipswich Gold Cup, the Aussie Infrared and Eight Green Cans bitch is delivering on Hosking’s hopes.

Now with just 10 starts to her name – for three wins and five placings, including victory in the Ipswich Futurity – Jen’s Joy’s career prospects had faced a major setback after breaking a hock in April.

However, her form post-injury has been a revelation.

“She had a fair bit of time off with the injury and while we had an opinion of her she had only had a few starts before she hurt herself,” Hosking said. 

“At the moment what you see is complete raw talent. She is doing everything right. She is definitely up there with the best ones that I have had.

“The closest thing I've probably had to her was a bitch called Waddling Witch. She was a very good beginner and a 29.7 second performer at Albion Park. We went on to breed from her.

“The other top dogs that I have had have probably taught me a great deal, whereas with her I'm probably ready now to have a really good dog.

“She is quick early and while she is still young and inexperienced, she is not afraid to take a run at the corner. Her biggest asset is the fact that she just chases. She is just a very good chaser.”

Boosting Hosking’s confidence ahead of Thursday night is the box draw.

This is the first time Jen’s Joy will exit from the inside alley.

“I definitely don't think box one hurts her on Thursday night,” Hosking said with a laugh.

“There are still very good dogs in this race, but we will be excited to see what she can do from the red.

“She's yet to win over the 500 metres at Albion so it would be great to tick that one off.”

Hosking said Jen’s Joy’s third placing behind Bear’s Bullet and Get Carter in the Ipswich Gold Cup was ‘amazing’.

“She could not have done anything more,” Hosking said.

“The bitch that won that race is a very good bitch and also a fair way into her career.

“So, for us to be lining up a length off her after just 10 starts is a pretty good indicator. You have Jay Is Jay and Bear’s Bullet as probably the best two dogs in Queensland. It was very pleasing. We were very happy with that result."

Hosking continued.

“We came out of box seven and if we had an inside box she might have been able to get to a better spot through the corner," the trainer said. 

“Her run was 30.19 seconds, so there was not much more she could have done. The other two that beat her were just better.

“It was also a good gauge for her. Sometimes you can run time, but it is good to see her up against better dogs.

“It doesn't seem to matter who she is racing against she just does her best. We are not getting too carried away, but with age and more racing she has probably got to improve a little bit. Then we will see what's there.”

Just like his exciting kennel star, Hosking is also well-positioned for the future, career-wise.

The Churchable-based mentor moved south after winning multiple premierships in Darwin and has since proven his ability among the upper echelon of trainers in South East Queensland.

“You have a look at the race calendar and you can see that you don't really need to leave Queensland to get good races,” he said.

“This race that is coming up with the heats on Thursday night is a classic example. It is not a Futurity or a Derby, but the Rising Stars final prize money is $45,000 ($30,000 to the winner).

“This is the best time to have a good dog that is going well.”

Hosking said the long-term future for the industry in the region was extremely positive.

“Training life is really good at the moment,” Hosking said.

“We are breeding well and are having a really good run this year so we certainly can't complain.

“The new facility, The Q (due to open in late 2024), will be amazing. When we get that new joint, the sky will be the limit in Queensland. I talk to people from interstate and they say that track will be life-changing.

“Having our own facility, where we don’t have to work in with anyone else, it will be like a kid in a candy store.”