Former champion apprentice Nick Ryan was almost lost to racing when increasing weight forced him from the saddle.
Five years on, Ryan is now a trainer based at Albury and will on Saturday make the journey down the Hume Highway to Moonee Valley to saddle Pocket Rockets in the Tony Beddison Cup (1000m).
Ryan became the third apprentice, joining Darren Gauci and Damien Oliver, to win the Melbourne jockeys’ premiership in 2004-2005,.
But weight was already starting to take its toll and after calling it quits in 2009 he worked in construction on the roads and freeways.
“I didn’t deal with not being able to ride too well,” Ryan said.
“I didn’t want too much to do with the industry if I couldn’t ride and had a bit of time away.”
Before his retirement and as his weight increased, Ryan did some riding for trainer Brett Cavanough around the Albury area.
Cliff Brown lured Ryan out of his retirement and up to Singapore and after a stint with John O’Hara he returned to Albury, firstly riding work and then becoming foreman for Cavanough.
“I did some breaking-in, learnt the ropes and he (Cavanough) inspired me to go out on my own as a trainer,” Ryan said.
Ryan has six horses in work and last Saturday won his first trophy as a trainer when Strongman took out the Hay Cup.
After an inglorious start to his training career when Motion Of Power finished last at Wagga on July 25, Ryan now has two winners and three second placings from nine runners to the races.
Pocket Rockets was his first metropolitan runner, finishing last at Flemington on VRC Oaks day before carrying 63kg when second at Gundagai on November 14.
“The track was a bit firm for him at Flemington,” Ryan said.
“He then ran second with a big weight at Gundagai where his class came through.
“I’ve had a quick look at the field on Saturday and I’m pretty happy with barrier four and we’ve got (in-form) Damien Lane on him, so things are looking quite good at this stage.”
