Almost three months after being sidelined by a bulging disc, Adam Hyeronimus returns to race riding poised to make the most of some plum opportunities for Tulloch Lodge.
The jockey has not ridden since he took a tumble at The Everest meeting at Randwick on October 19 and was sent for scans which revealed a bulging disc in his lower back.
“It hasn’t been ideal but I’ve recovered well and I’ve avoided having an operation which is the biggest plus,” Hyeronimus said.
“It’s good to be back. I’m looking forward to getting back into it and getting into a routine again.”
Hyeronimus returned to track work over a week ago and will ride at Gosford on Friday before heading to Randwick for seven mounts, five of them for co-trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
They include three early favourites – Sondelon in the Ranvet Handicap (1500m), Statuesquely in the Schweppes Handicap (1500m) and the promising Mr Dependable in the Sky Racing Active Handicap (1800m).
Mr Dependable won a Hawkesbury maiden during his initial campaign last year and is unbeaten in two runs from a spell, including an impressive last-start win over 1600 metres at Randwick.
Hyeronimus will be riding him in a race for the first time and regards him as the pick of his mounts.
“He showed good ability last preparation and Gai and Adrian did the right thing by him. They let him go out for a spell on a good note and let him strengthen up and mature,” Hyeronimus said.
“He’s obviously done that. You can see that in his first two runs this preparation.”
The jockey is also optimistic about the chances of Statuesquely, who returns to Saturday grade after going down narrowly to Tinkermosa in the Group Three Belle Of The Turf Stakes at Gosford.
She is chasing her first win since leading throughout at Warwick Farm in May with Hyeronimus in the saddle.
“She’s a nice mare and she always tries very hard,” Hyeronimus said.
“It looks a perfect race for her really, coming back in grade.
“No disrespect to the opposition but you look at her form and you look at their form and she’s going to be terribly hard to beat.”
