Ainsworth bracing for another emotional day at Beaudesert

By Glenn Davis

It could be another emotional time for the dual-icensed Brooke Ainsworth if she trains her second winner on her home track at Beaudesert on Friday.

Ainsworth, who turns 32 next month, has been a popular jockey in the State’s south-east since she started riding as an apprentice as a 19-year-old.

She turned her hand to training as well as riding after her father, Ted Ainsworth passed away following a health battle in 2016.

Ted trained more than 100 winners including 13 metropolitan wins in Brisbane and one in Sydney as well as preparing several Black-Type placegetters.

Brooke Ainsworth trained her only Beaudesert winner when Newmarket Miss won her maiden 18 months ago.

It was a highly emotional day for her after losing her partner, former New Zealand jumps jockey Wayne Lacy.

“It was a very emotional time the day Newmarket Miss won as we had the funeral for Wayne only the day before,” Ainsworth said.

Ainsworth has had 63 starters as a trainer but has only been in the winner’s circle three times.

She has been based at Beaudesert for many years as both a rider and trainer and would love to train another Beaudesert winner to follow in her father’s footsteps.

“Dad trained for a long time at Beaudesert and I’d love to win another race here,” Ainsworth said.

“I’ve only had one win here with Newmarket Miss.

“My mother (Deb) took over training from Dad after he died and I got my dual licence when Mum decided to scale down from a 10-acre property to a house block when I bought six acres and started training at Gleneagle.”

Ainsworth has two starters at Beaudesert with Elliez Star lining up in the Benchmark 68 Handicap over 1200 metres and Little Charmer in the Ratings Band 0-58 Handicap over 1100 metres.

Elliez Star is coming off a game second to Galaxy General in a 1200-metre Benchmark race on the Gold Coast synthetic track on April 5 while Little Charmer hasn’t started since finishing fifth in a 1400-metre Benchmark race at Beaudesert last November.

“Elliez Star raced very well on the poly track last start and I’m expecting her to run a good race again although she’s carrying more weight,” Ainsworth said.

“Little Charmer is resuming and I’m hoping she’ll race very well fresh.”