Jockey Rory Hutchings has returned to New Zealand after spending the past four years in Sydney where he has struggled since he became a senior rider.
The premier Sydney apprentice for 2015/16, Hutchings wages a constant battle with his weight and says it will be a month before he returns to the saddle having had his last race ride on January 12.
“I put a timeline of around a month before I am back riding,” Hutchings told NZ Racing Desk.
“I am a bit heavy at the minute, so I will just be riding work and getting my weight down until then.
“I will be based at Matamata to start with, living with my parents, so that is where I am going to be riding work until I get back to the races. I would like to spread myself around and ride for quite a few stables.
“If I can get back riding around 56kgs again, that is a big advantage.”
A three-time champion apprentice in New Zealand before going to Sydney where he was based with Chris Waller, the 23-year-old is a Group One winner in New Zealand aboard Soriano in the 2014 Zabeel Classic and 2015 Herbie Dyke Stakes..
Hutchings said he had loved his time in Sydney and had no regrets.
“I rode for the best in the business over there and I am very proud of what I achieved,” he said.
“It is something that will stay close to my heart for the rest of my life.
“I wouldn't change the way things went for a thing.
“My fondest memory is coming home with the champion apprentice title, which is very hard to do over there and that is probably one thing that does stand out.
“It will be good to just get back to the races and spend time with family and once that happens the long-term goal will be to add to the Group One tally.”
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