Recharged Stower looking to next challenge

RACING: It’s been a mixed year for Toowoomba fourth-year apprentice jockey Brooke Stower (right) but tomorrow could prove the first of better days ahead as she looks to reboot her riding career.

Stower tomorrow ventures to Ballina to ride on the eight-race card with the hope of basing herself there full-time.

Her possible relocation follows her “comeback” win at Gatton last Saturday aboard Northern Revenge for trainer

Brett Baker.

It was her first success following a self-imposed four-month break to re-assess her career.

A move back to Toowoomba after a Brisbane riding stint, a lingering elbow injury, a serious family illness and the life-changing injuries suffered by her colleagues Ben Saunders and Wade Clashom left Stower questioning her future in the industry.

But it didn’t dim her love of riding which has brought her back to where she left off with 160 career wins, including 22 in the city.

“Riding was a real chore for me there for a while. A combination of things had got me down” Stower said.

“But now I can’t wait again for race day.

“The break gave me the chance to assess how badly or not I wanted to keep riding.

“I’m super glad I did it and I’m loving being back.

“A move to Ballina hopefully can be the next positive step.”