Jason sheds fall guy tag

Jason Hoopert with his first city winner Mimics. Picture: Jono Searle Source: The Courier-Mail

JASON Hoopert figures the team at Sky Channel's Off The Beaten Track still owe him an interview.

Hoopert, 40, broke through for his first city winner when the Lyn Paton-trained Mimics fought off all challengers to win at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Hoopert has defied medical advice, after being told his career was over following a terrible fall at Kilcoy in July, 2006.

"As far as I know I'm the first jockey in history to win a premiership in a coma," he said. "That was the last meeting of the season. I won the south east Queensland country premiership and I was in a coma when the clock ticked over.

"I lost all my balance. I couldn't even walk in a straight line. So when they were telling me I would never ride again I did believe them.

"But three years later, the balance came back, I started riding trackwork for Trevor Miller at Caloundra and I just kept going from there."

For all the winners Hoopert has ridden in his well-travelled career, it was a surprise to learn Mimics was his first in the metropolitan area.

"I was always based in the country before my fall and I never had too many rides down here. Since I made the comeback, I thought I would give it a go and see what happens," he said.

Hoopert had a near five-year hiatus, returning to race riding last year.

"I've been riding a little bit for Maryann Brosnan, which is funny because it was one of her horses when I had my fall," he said. "I won on it the start before at Esk and then I had the fall at Kilcoy. I can't remember any of the day at Kilcoy.

Read more from the original source:
Jason sheds fall guy tag