Rising star Jess Eaton has swiftly made her presence felt in South Australia’s riding ranks and is closing in on her own slice of history as she looks to capture her maiden South Australian metropolitan jockeys’ premiership.
Remarkably, it’s unfolding in Eaton’s first season riding in the state after she endured an injury-interrupted apprenticeship before joining forces with Michael Hickmott.
The former Victorian is locked in an absorbing duel with defending champion Todd Pannell and holds a three-win advantage with just three metropolitan meetings remaining.
“We’re certainly very competitive in the run, he’s extremely professional off the track and there’s not too much banter,” Eaton said on SEN Track’s Bensley.
“You certainly need to figure where he (Pannell) is in the run and do your best to outride him or play it tactically so you can get the better run.
“He’s very good at what he does, you can learn a lot about what he does.
“I think I’ve got some really nice rides, I'm really looking forward to Saturday.”
Eaton has ridden 87 winners for the season, with the gun jockey eyeing off the ton, albeit a tough task with the season wrapping up.
“I’m certainly doing my best, it certainly is a goal but it’s probably going to be on the harder side,” she added.
Pannell won the SA premiership last year with 65 winners – the highest number of metropolitan victories of any jockey in the state for more than a decade.
