Toowoomba apprentice jockey to saddle up for Queensland

One of Toowoomba’s leading jockeys will saddle up in Adelaide next week when she represents Queensland. The young gun will take on Australia’s best apprentices in a special race series.

American Saint ridden by Angela Jones wins race 3 at Clifford Park. Picture: Nev Madsen.

RACING: Leading Toowoomba jockey Angela Jones is hoping to get Queensland off to a winning start in the National Apprentice Race Series.

Jones (pictured), who currently leads the Clifford Park Premiership race, is one of 11 jockeys named in Queensland’s squad for the series.

“I’m very excited and grateful for the opportunity to represent Queensland in this series,” she said.

“There hasn’t been much talk about the series so it was a pleasant surprise when I received the email.”

Jones will kick-off Queensland’s campaign when she saddles up in the first round at Adelaide’s Strathalbyn Racecourse.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge,” she said.

Toowoomba apprentice jockey Angela Jones. Picture: Nev Madsen.

“Here (south east Queensland) you become familiar with a lot of things the horses, the tracks and the jockeys you’re riding against.

“It’s going to be a completely different game down there though.

“I’ll be in two races for the series and we’re given horses at random. Hopefully I can pick up a few more rides on the card as well.

“I’ll take a look at some video before I head to down to see how the track runs and walk it (the track) with Racing Queensland officials before we race.”

First held in 2008, the series draws together apprentices to represent their state in a collection of races across the country.

Points are awarded for the top five placings in each leg of the series, with the state that accumulates the most points crowned the winner.