Emma Lines, a rising star on the Northern Territory racing scene, is set to be celebrated at the prestigious 2023 Top End Racing Awards this Friday night in Darwin, Australia.
The 17-year-old prodigy concluded the 2022/23 season with an impressive 21 wins, an extraordinary feat considering she commenced her career just last December.
In an astonishing debut, Lines clinched victory in her maiden race, establishing a strike rate that eventually secured her third place in the jockeys' premiership, trailing only behind Jarrod Todd with 42 wins and Sonja Logan with 30.
Despite facing challenges over the past nine months, including leg and ankle injuries sustained in races and trials, as well as a setback due to heat exhaustion, Lines remained undeterred.
Her determination and tenacity culminated in a triumphant win at the Darwin Guineas (1600m) aboard Tubthumper during the Darwin Cup Carnival's Day 1, which carried a purse of A$75,000.
Presently, Lines is away in Queensland, participating in races on dirt tracks at Betoota, Birdsville, and Bedourie during the 2023 Simpson Desert Racing Carnival. Accompanying her is her father, David, as they aim to conquer new terrain.
Regrettably absent from the Top End Racing Awards, Lines has entrusted her mother, Rosa, with the honour of accepting the award on her behalf.
“The past nine months have been more than I could have ever imagined. I'm really excited for the next 12 months and, hopefully, I'll have a good crack at the premiership,” the young jockey said.
Looking ahead, Lines aspires to further assert herself in the racing world.
“I'm a competitive soul, so it's always nice to push myself and see how far I can go and how many winners I can get,” she said.
Throughout the Simpson Desert Racing Carnival, Lines exhibited exceptional prowess, concluding as the leading jockey with five wins and six thirds from 19 rides.
However, a one-week suspension, her first, means she will take on the role of a strapper during the upcoming race at Winton.
Lines reflected on her out-of-territory experiences, describing Betoota as an “eye-opener” and expressing her awe at participating in the renowned Birdsville meeting.
“It was good to camp at Birdsville for the two weeks – the people there were nice,” she said.
“The atmosphere was like Darwin – it was great to experience that.”
While Lines is content to continue riding in Darwin and Alice Springs, she's begun contemplating her short- and long-term objectives.
“It's all up in the air at the moment. I've been asked to ride interstate, but it hasn't been set in stone,” she said.
Her partnership with trainer Phil Cole has proved fruitful, and Lines is open to exploring further opportunities, even potentially riding for trainers in South Australia.
With a successful debut season under her belt, Emma Lines stands on the precipice of an exciting future in Australian horse racing.