Apprentice jockey to honour late friend

By Jordan Gerrans

When rookie apprentice Amie Meissner heads to the starting gates for the first time at Gladstone on Saturday, she will do so to honour one of her greatest inspirations as a jockey.

The Thangool-based rider lost one of her closest friends in September of last year when Joel Weeks tragically died in a single-vehicle crash near Biloela.

Meissner will have ‘J.W’ on her silks this Saturday in memory of her friend. 

The teenager is in her second stint as an apprentice jockey.

She had a crack last year in Rockhampton before stepping away from the industry altogether and relocating back home to Thangool.

Weeks' sad passing helped instigate her decision to chase her ambitions as a jockey.

“It is going to mean a lot to me to ride on Saturday, it is going to be super special to me,” Meissner said.

“He’s one of the reasons I didn’t give up this dream of mine even when it got hard.

“I’m riding for him, my best friend on Saturday. 

"He was so excited to watch me ride. I know he’ll be watching over me, hopefully he will help me steer a winner.

“Joel’s mum and dad have continuously showed me support throughout this journey also.”

The 19-year-old is indentured to Damien Rideout at Thangool.

Rideout’s wife Jade was key in bringing Meissner back into racing after she initially decided to forgo her apprenticeship.

Meissner and Jade play in the same touch football competition and with her husband Damien always chasing more trackwork riders, Jade was persistent.

“I took a step away from it to comprehend what I wanted to do,” Meissner recalls.

“I had no intention of going back to riding. It was about four months later and I was not riding any horses, not even my own, and I was going to sleep at night every night wondering why I wasn’t doing it.

“I was getting messages from Jade about once a week offering for me to come ride work whenever I wanted.

“I kept turning her down, but I eventually went out there – I fell in love with it straight away.

“I have loved every day of it since as I have had the best support crew around me to keep me going.

“I am loving it more than I ever have, to be honest.”

Meissner began riding work for the Rideout stable in October of last year, not long after Weeks' death.

Damien Rideout says Meissner deserves her opportunity to kick-start her career at Gladstone on Saturday after working hard to get through her required trials.

The Rideout stable tasted feature success earlier this month when they claimed the annual Pat Ogden Memorial Tree of Knowledge Cup at Barcaldine.

Lady Townson scored in the event with emerging youngster Julie Busuttin doing the steering.

Fellow teenager Busuttin has done plenty of riding for the Rideout team over the last year and she has become close mates with Meissner.

“They have become quite good friends,” Rideout said. 

“They are looking forward to riding together over the coming weeks.”

As Busuttin has been riding in races since last year, Meissner says Busuttin’s guidance and friendship has been crucial in her pursuit of her debut appearance.

Meissner has been booked to ride Time To Get Ready and Clocks Ticking for trainer Denis Schultz on Saturday as well as a few more for her master.

The lightweight hoop believes the Rideout-prepared Jellishot is her best winning chance on Saturday with the seven-year-old mare nominated for a couple of races on the sand at Gladstone.

“I do really like her,” she said of Jellishot.

“It is her first start back for a little while.

“She has been going really well for her in her work.”

Meissner cannot wait to ride Lady Townson in the coming weeks with the apprentice hoop declaring the galloper is her favourite in the stable.

The keen rider developed her passion for horses when she was gifted a pony from her parents at a young age before she progressed to competing in showjumping.

She had not considered a career in racing before she took a retired racehorse to a clinic a few years ago and met Leisha Wehlow, who is the wife of former trainer Jared Wehlow. 

The Wehlow stable offered Meissner a job riding trackwork once she finished high school and she relocated to Rockhampton to work for the team.

“If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” Meissner said.

“They are great people and I am forever grateful for them. I love going fast on horses. I am excited for the occasion on Saturday.”