Chris Symons has tried to make the best of a frustrating few months but he can’t wait to be back race riding on Saturday.
The popular jockey returns from a broken foot with three rides in Adelaide for trainer Tony McEvoy, an opportunity he hopes to capitalise on as he embarks on something of a new approach.
Symons suffered the foot injury in a freak accident in the carpark of the Sale racecourse in September when he jumped into his car boot to avoid a reversing vehicle.
His left foot became trapped between his car and the other vehicle which was driven by a prominent apprentice on his L plates.
“I’ve only taken three rides on Saturday and then I’ve got five at Sale on Sunday – back to the scene of the crime,” Symons said.
Symons has been “getting out and about” in preparation for his return which has included trips to South Australia and Sydney.
The Victorian-based Symons rode work in South Australia for McEvoy last week and he was at Sydney trackwork on Wednesday putting a few horses through their paces for Gerald Ryan.
“The three rides on Saturday have come out of going there (to ride work for McEvoy),” Symons said.
“The reason I went there was, not only is Tony a top bloke but he has a lot of nice horses that he brings to Victoria, where I’m based, and they’re competitive.
“I want to try to tap into those areas where interstate trainers might bring horses to Victoria.
“I want to be in the mix to ride them when they do.”
Having missed the spring carnival, Symons hopes to make his mark in the autumn but believes his return comes at an awkward time.
Had he been back in action just a week or two earlier he would likely have been in the running for several nice rides, including Hosting in Saturday’s Listed Manfred Stakes at Caulfield.
Symons was aboard the Greg Eurell-trained colt for his debut win in August.
“If I’d been race riding a week or two earlier I might have been able to keep the ride,” Symons said.
