Comeback jockey Andrew Adkins has a handy book of rides at Rosehill, including the horse involved in his horrific race fall.
The defection of Sydney’s top hoops to Brisbane for the winter carnival has given Andrew Adkins the ideal platform to build some momentum as he continues his comeback from a serious race fall.
Adkins spent more than six months on the sidelines when he was dislodged from Hot ‘N’ Hazy at Rosehill last July and in an ironic twist, the other horse involved in the incident – Smart Image – is one of six mounts for Adkins on Saturday.
“I’ve actually been riding him work so I know the horse well, just a little bit too close from the races,” Adkins said.
“He’s been working well. He’s two from two on the soft so hopefully that helps him as well.”
Adkins returned to the saddle in late February, right on the eve of the Sydney autumn carnival.
While he was thankful to pick up rides in town straight away, it was a difficult time of year to muscle in on the better horses in the big races.
With the likes of James McDonald, Hugh Bowman, Kerrin McEvoy and Glen Boss now following the carnival train to Queensland, Adkins is determined to make the most of their absence.
“I was coming back right in the hardest part of Sydney racing,” Adkins said.
“To be able to get a go in town straight away, I was lucky, but trying to find the right horses is the hardest part. But now is the right time for me and I’m lucky to have some nice rides on Saturday and a fair book of them too.
“It’s a good test for my body being back into it and so flat out but it’s holding up really good.”
Adkins has six rides at Rosehill on Saturday, highlighted by Looks Like Elvis in the Listed Lord Mayors Cup (2000m) and he regards the last-start Scone Cup runner-up as a live chance despite a tricky draw in barrier 14.
Adkins partnered the Jarrod Austin-trained gelding in a trial in April but missed his Hawkesbury Cup fourth due to suspension and was committed to another ride at Scone.
He also has two mounts for Hawkes Racing including Valdostana in the Precise Air Handicap (1200m) and says it is always good to pick up rides for the powerful stable.
“I’ve ridden a lot for them over the years and they’ve always been a good supporter of mine,” Adkins said.
“She trialled really good at Rosehill so hopefully she can show up and run a nice[MC1] race.”
With just over two months of the season remaining, Adkins has not set himself any specific goals but is focused on working hard and getting some more wins on the board.
“I’m just happy to get some momentum back. There’s no plan on how many winners I want to ride, just on establishing a fluent book of rides each week and trying to find some nice horses, work as hard as I can and ride as many winners as I can.”
Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au