Challenge and opportunity are the two factors that have enticed Glen Boss back to Sydney, at least for the duration of the spring carnival.
The top jockey will ease back into the local scene with four rides at Rosehill on Saturday before establishing himself in Sydney for three months from the end of July.
Boss, who famously won three Melbourne Cups aboard Makybe Diva, has been riding in Queensland since his recent return to Australia from Singapore but he is keen to again challenge himself in the ultra-competitive Sydney environment.
He knows it won't be easy and he's prepared for the hard yards.
“There are so many good riders in Sydney at the moment that have got a foothold, so I've got to come in, really establish myself again and work hard, be humble and do all the things you have to do,” Boss said.
“I'm up for the challenge and I truly believe I can still compete at a very good level.”
Boss did just that in Sydney during the autumn when he picked up the winning lightweight mount on the Hawkes Racing-trained Brutal to win the Doncaster Mile.
Recent prize money injections to NSW racing, along with the revamped spring carnival and introduction of races like the $7.5 million Golden Eagle, have also changed the landscape.
It will mean Melbourne and Sydney host major spring race meetings on the same day, potentially opening up more opportunities for more jockeys.
“There's going to be openings here and there, they're good races and great meetings,” Boss said.
”I'm going to keep myself open minded and if I'm in the right place at the right time, a la Brutal, I've had these things happen all my life and you can be johnny-on-the-spot.”
Boss might just find himself on the right horse at the right time at Rosehill on Saturday.
He will partner debutant Clever Man for Anthony Cummings in the opening race along with Fortune's Path in the Lindsay Murphy TAB Highway Handicap (1400m), Victorian Amerock in the ATC Member Tours Handicap (2000m) and Seaway for Chris Waller in the Listed Winter Stakes (1400m).
Seaway finished fifth to Saturday's rival Gaulois first-up in the Civic Stakes, he boasts an outstanding second-up record and has form on rain-affected tracks.
“From what I've been told from the stable he's a genuinely good chance,” Boss said.