Jasmine second on jockeys’ premiership

Apprentice jockey Jasmine Fawcett has been the star performer amongst local riding ranks in the opening days of the new racing season.

Last Wednesday she rode Flying Master to victory at Tauranga and at Te Rapa on the weekend she notched a perfect two from two on maiden graduate No Loitering and Kokane Gold.

With three wins from six raceday rides, Jasmine is in second place on the jockeys’ premiership, and while she realises higher profile jockeys will surpass her as the season unfolds, she’s just happy to be making her mark.

The weekend double took her tally since she began riding last $81 longshot year to 11 wins.

A month ago Jasmine transferred to Matamata trainer and former champion jockey Jim Collett and from three rides from that stable she has won twice, on Wimbledon at Hastings late last month and Flying Master at Tauranga last week.

She credits her new boss and apprentice mentor Noel Harris for her recent success.

‘‘Beforehand I was more worried about how I looked when I was riding, but the point Jim made to me is to worry less about that, it’s more important that I feel comfortable and the rest will follow,’’ she says.

‘‘And all the way through Noel Harris has been brilliant as the riding mentor. He’s always there to give advice and I really don’t know where I’d be without his help.’’

Having reached double figures, the 23-year-old’s next goal is to take her tally to 30 wins.

‘‘I’m riding with a three-kilo claim and it’s a target to get that down to two kilos once I’ve ridden 30 winners. After that I’d like to think I could go to Australia while I’m still an apprentice, that would be good, but I want to keep improving here first.’’