Shane Scriven will begin the next chapter in his near 30-year riding career when he reunites with veteran stayer Scenic Shot in the Listed Members’ Handicap at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Scriven doesn’t call it a comeback although the 45-year-old resumes his career following a lengthy spell on the sidelines after being disqualified for five months, reduced on appeal to three months, over the infamous whip-stealing incident at Ipswich 12 months ago.
“I’ve never made a comeback,” Scriven said.
“They’ve all been situations where I’ve returned from injury or suspensions.
“When I retire it’ll be for life.”
Scriven hasn’t ridden in a race since finishing third on Our Lukas in the Listed Ipswich Cup won by Gold In Dubai in July last year.
“My last ride was in the Ipswich Cup and it’s been very tough getting back,” Scriven said.
“Had it not been for Scenic Shot I would have said `stuff it all’.
“But when it’s time to give it away I’ll be the one to make that decision, no-one else.”
During his lengthy time away from race riding, Scriven’s weight ballooned to 74 kilograms.
He had planned to return in time for the Magic Millions meeting at the Gold Coast in January but his body wasn’t ready.
“I started riding work back in September and it’s taken a lot longer than I ever thought it would,” Scriven said.
“I had six weeks off following the disqualification and then I started my own program to get my weight down.
“I was 74 kilos and got my weight down to 64 kilos and the plan was to aim for the Magic Millions.
“But a week before Christmas I was still 64 kilos so I was no hope.”
Frustration soon set in but Scriven never backs away from a challenge and refused to believe his career was near an end.
“My New Year’s resolution was to start again and I’m now a tick over 60 kilos,” he said.
“It’s all good at the moment but I can’t be a 60-kilo jockey so I’ve got a way to go yet.
“I’m confident once I start riding regularly I’ll get my weight down gradually and I’ll be right once I get to 57 kilos.”
Scriven credits his return to riding to his personal trainer Josh Mill.
“I’m on a special diet of 500 calories a day,” he said.
“I have two meals a day of fish or chicken and fruit and vegetables and any snacking is apple.”
Scriven is hoping for a fairytale return aboard Scenic Shot as the pair combined to win the same race last year.
Nine-year-old Scenic Shot, who hasn’t raced since finishing 11th to Manighar in the Group One Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on March 24, gave Scriven his sixth Group One win in last year’s Doomben Cup.
