Alana raring to get back in saddle

Fri, January 06 2012

The 17-year-old has spent the past three months on the sidelines after a trackwork fall last September resulted in a dislocated kneecap and associated ligament damage.

"I can't wait, it has been a bit frustrating being injured," Brown said.

"The physio has had me running, bike riding, doing stretches and lunges to get the strength in my knee back, so it will be a nice change to concentrate on riding."

The fall came at an inopportune time for Brown, who made a big impression by winning the Bay apprentice premiership title in her debut season in the saddle.

"I was actually one winner short of outriding my 3kg claim, so that's something I'm hoping to do as soon as possible," Brown said. "Hopefully, Robson Street can do it for me, I've had two rides on him for two wins."

The latest generation of a family legacy stretching back since the inception of Northern Territory horse racing more than a century ago, Brown looks set for a big 2012.

Not only does she turn 18, but Brown plans to combine her apprenticeship with university studies after recently completing Year 12 at Darwin High School.

"I've applied for various courses and I'm just waiting to see what I get," she said.

"I'm planning to keep riding, I've really enjoyed the experience of being an apprentice jockey, it is certainly different."

"You can get down when you're not riding winners, but you just have to keep pushing through and it is all worth it."

Brown has four rides on tomorrow's Bay card - Robson Street, Long Shorts and Kingsford for dad Stephen, and the Shane Clarke-trained He's Reeling.

The first is at 3.48pm.

Story courtesy of Gregor Mactaggart

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