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Winterbottom Stakes: Racing couple Joey Azzopardi, Amelia Hall thrive at Ascot’s Pinnacles carnival

Hayden KingThe West Australian
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Jockey Joey Azzopardi and his girlfriend Amelia Hall at Ascot Racecourse ahead of the Winterbottom Stakes this weekend.
Camera IconJockey Joey Azzopardi and his girlfriend Amelia Hall at Ascot Racecourse ahead of the Winterbottom Stakes this weekend. Credit: Kelsey Reid/The West Australian

Young WA racing glamour couple Joey Azzopardi and Amelia Hall are thriving on Ascot’s action-packed Pinnacles carnival, with the five-week fiesta entering its third meeting on Saturday.

Azzopardi, having already won more than 700 races in his career, sits amongst the top 10 jockeys in the State while Hall, the daughter of hoop and ‘Cups King’ Peter, is one of the newest yet most recognisable faces in WA racing.

Since beginning her tenure under Racing WA earlier in the year, Hall has already risen to raceday hosting duties for Perth Racing.

“I’m loving it. It’s a dream. It’s perfect because I’d be at the races anyway and now I get to work there, so it doesn’t even feel like work,” Hall said.

“But I’m really enjoying being involved in the media and being more connected to the form.

“I follow the races a lot closer now and I really enjoy us being together on game day.

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“We’re both in the zone together now, which is good.

Jockey Joey Azzopardi and his girlfriend Amelia Hall at Ascot Racecourse.
Camera IconJockey Joey Azzopardi and his girlfriend Amelia Hall at Ascot Racecourse. Credit: Kelsey Reid/The West Australian

“I’d like to think I can get even more confident doing it, and that’s going to help a lot.

“I’ve still got a lot to learn and it’s one of things where people say you can never stop learning.

“Being on the TV would be pretty cool, which is where everyone wants to be.”

Azzopardi glowed with satisfaction at his partner’s recent achievements, but has a burning desire to clinch one of his own in the coming weeks.

“She’s taken it on really well and improved heaps in the last six months,” Azzopardi said.

“She’s got the right personality for it. She’s really outgoing, easy to speak to and people like talking to her.

“We’ve just started building a house together, so I’m trying to ride as many winners and earn as much money as I can.

“The Perth Cup is the race I really want to win.

“Playhouse Patron is going there and his run the other day was actually really good.

“He’s probably my best option at the moment.”

Azzopardi rides $101 TABtouch outsider Laced Up Heels in the Group 1 $1.5 MCA Polytrack Winterbottom Stakes (1200m), who must overcome gate 12 in the 16-horse field.

“At her best she can run a big race. I feel like it’s not a bad barrier for that sort of race. She ran second in the Joey, so she’s a nice horse.”

“Antique Miss ($12) in the Jungle Dawn Classic is my best chance.

“Apparently she’s working well, and I’m looking forward to riding her.

“She’s draw perfectly in three and she’ll run a big race.”

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