Rose blooms on Victoria’s horse racing circuit

She recently reflected on what has been a busy 12 months.

“It’s been really great,” Hammond said.

“I’ve had a couple of downfalls with two concussions now, but it’s a case of getting up and keeping on going.”

Hammond delivered one of the stories of the year when she rode a winning double at her first Echuca Cup meeting in March — aboard Lika Swift and Pravro — for her boss Gwenda Johnstone.

That kick-started an impressive run of winners, but a fall from Pravro at Donald halted Hammond’s progress.

“I was starting to get on a roll, but coming back from the fall, it was hard to get my name out there,” she said.

“Now I feel like I’m starting to get back into it again.”

Hammond outrode her 3kg country claim at Echuca on September 19 aboard another Johnstone-trained horse in Brazen Shadow.

Of her career winners, nine have come for Johnstone, but Hammond’s recent forays to ride trackwork outside of Echuca are reaping results.

“Echuca can be a bit far from everywhere, but it’s about putting in the effort and making the travels to ride for other trainers,” she said.

“I’ve been going to Ballarat, riding (trackwork) for trainers Henry (Dwyer), Andrew Noblet, Matt Cumani and Mitch Freedman ... it’s rewarding when you’re getting the job done for them.”

Hammond rode a winner at Geelong on December 7 for Cumani aboard $15 shot Montjeuify.

A couple of days earlier, she steered Conclave Prince home for Noblet at Bendigo.

The emerging apprentice also landed a boilover aboard the Dwyer-trained Villager, who had a starting price of $101 when winning at Ararat on November 27.

But the horse Hammond has built a real affinity with is Equine Philosopher, trained at Bendigo by Jarrod Robinson.

Equine Philosopher delivered the hoop’s first cup success when he saluted in the Yarrawonga-Mulwala Cup at Benalla in November.

That was the fourth win he has produced with Hammond in the saddle, all coming in dashing front-running fashion.

Hammond is among a talented contingent of apprentices coming through the ranks in Victoria.

She was one of nine jockeys in the 2022 intake of Racing Victoria’s Apprentice Jockey Training Program, run under the guidance of jockey coaches Darren Gauci and Alf Matthews.

“We’re lucky to have them. Alf’s a bit tougher (than Darren), but it’s been very positive working with them, as they get the best out of us,” Hammond said.

With 28 winners and 51 placings from 326 rides at a winning strike rate of nine per cent, Hammond ranks well against her contemporaries.

Ryan Houston, indentured to Paul Preusker at Horsham, has ridden 58 winners from 495 rides at a winning strike rate of 12 per cent.

Jaylah Kennedy has ridden 44 winners from 413 rides at a winning strike rate of 11 per cent.

Tom Prebble, whose parents Brett and Maree (Payne) enjoyed successful careers in the saddle, has ridden 38 winners from 340 rides at a winning strike rate of 11 per cent.

Dakotah Keane has ridden 22 winners from 319 rides at a winning strike rate of seven per cent.

Alysha Warren has ridden 17 winners from 132 rides at a winning strike rate of 13 per cent.

Emily Pozman has ridden 10 winners from 75 rides at a winning strike rate of 13 per cent.

Jessica Booth has ridden three winners from 102 rides at a winning strike rate of three per cent.

Danica Munro has ridden one winner from 11 rides at a winning strike rate of nine per cent.