By Mike Dillon
Lance O'Sullivan has some pretty tough owners providing the critique for his first ride back in 14 months at Taupo on Sunday.
The first mount for the 10-times champion New Zealand jockey will be debut juvenile For The Roses, trained by brother Paul.
Expectations of owners of unraced 2-year-olds are generally through the roof.
Lance O'Sullivan will be riding for Paul O'Sullivan, his father Dave, harness trainer Barry Purdon and his wife Katrina, and Roy Purdon.
Added to that will be the eyes of New Zealand racing planted firmly on the 35-year-old who has revolutionised the jockeys' record book.
Worst of all, O'Sullivan knows For The Roses lacks gate speed and is likely to be last in the early running.
A win would be lovely, but O'Sullivan says he is simply glad to be back in the saddle after so many frustrations with the leg he shattered in an horrific race fall at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate day 14 months ago.
"To be honest, she's not one of the stable's flying machines, but I do like her and she won't be too far out of it.
"She came from a fair way off the leaders when I won on her at the Cambridge trials and she'll be running on again."
For the past month O'Sullivan has intended resuming riding at either Taupo or on Monday at Thames
That would allow him six or seven race meetings to be properly fit to handle his brother's team for the Wellington Cup carnival next month.
His fitness, he says, is already right up to the mark without having ridden on raceday.
"I can't possibly get any fitter without riding in races.
"As the weekend approaches I'm cutting back on the pretty tough fitness schedule I've been getting through so I won't be too tired on Sunday or when the day's over.
"I'll have two or three rides on the day, at the most four.
"I'm ready. Put it this way, I've ridden before when I haven't been as fit."
Horse Racing: Focus on riding return at Taupo
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.