Hammond in the saddle for debut race

Speaking to Racing.com after the race, Hammond — who is from Tongala and lives in Echuca — said it was a special moment to finally get out on the track.

“I can’t wait to go again. I’m up and about, it is awesome,” Hammond said.

“I woke up this morning and it has been on my mind all morning. The weigh-in and all that, it is just a different atmosphere.

“I got called into the stewards’ room at the end there, so I have had the whole package today.

“It was fun being in there and the horse that I was on was pretty experienced, so it was nice to just run along with it.”

The young apprentice has been part of Johnstone’s stable for more than four years, but she did not have much time to think about her debut race.

Hammond had her racing licence approved on Friday last week, before jumping in the saddle for the race on Monday.

“I got the tick on Friday and I thought it was better to come around quick so I’m not thinking about it for a week, so I was happy about that and now it is out of the way and I can’t wait to get another ride,” Hammond said.

“There were definitely a lot of nerves, but I was so excited, I couldn’t wait. ”

She may have been anxious before the start, but Hammond’s nerves didn’t show.

Red Jewels had a clean jump out of the gates, spending most of the 1212m race towards the front of the pack.

Hammond and Red Jewels were sitting in fourth spot as the horses crossed the 500m mark and they looked in good shape heading down the home stretch.

A gap opened up and Hammond pulled into the open lane. But Red Jewels just didn’t have the legs to kick away, instead getting swallowed up in the pack before crossing the line fifth, beaten one-and-three-quarter lengths by winner Ellmaknifico.

“She (Red Jewels) ran really, really well,” Hammond said.

“My plan was to jump and lead, but she just didn’t jump quite as quick as I’d like.

“She sat and relaxed really nice back in the field. I just let her run along with them. I came out around the corner and there was a gap there, but she didn’t quite get going fast enough.”

Monday’s race was a special moment for Hammond, who said she had always dreamed of being a jockey.

“I have loved horses my whole life. I always wanted to be a jockey since I was little, I never thought about doing anything else,” she said.

“As soon as I got the opportunity, I was in. I was working in a stable when I was 12 years old.

“I had a bit of a hiccup in the road and broke my leg, so that put me back 12 months, but I am back and I am here and it just made me more determined.”

Prior to the race, Johnstone said it was an exhilarating moment to see Hammond make her debut.

“It is an exciting day. My pulse is probably just starting to go a bit now. It is exciting, very exciting,” Johnstone said.

“Rose has been with us for over four years. She turned up wanting to be an apprentice jockey and it has just gone from there.

“She couldn’t ride a racehorse when she first came and it has just gone from there. We have taught her how to ride and it is outstanding what she has done.”

Hammond said Gwenda and Mick Johnstone had been a huge help to her and she couldn’t thank the couple enough for the support.

“They have been awesome. I always did show jumping and pony club, but had no race experience, I have no family in racing,” she said.

“Gwenda’s knowledge is just amazing and riding along with Mick every single morning, he has helped me so much, so I am very grateful for the both of them.

“Mick has been amazing. Anything I do, he will do it next to me in track work to show me exactly what to do and I am just so grateful for that.”

Hammond also got to share a special moment before the race with her father, Steve, who acted as the strapper.