By Michael Guerin
The champ felt like a beginner at Taupo yesterday.
Lance O'Sullivan admitted to nerves as he made his long-awaited comeback to riding at yesterday's picnic meeting.
But even after four rides for just one third, the Matamata magician was happy just to be back in the saddle, 14 months after a horror race fall which left him with a badly broken leg and threatened to end his career.
"I was nervous before the meeting because it has been such a long wait," said O'Sullivan.
"I felt a bit like an apprentice going out to the races for the first time."
"But even though I was a bit stiff there was no actual pain in the leg which is the main thing.
"Now it is just a matter of getting back to peak fitness."
O'Sullivan made only one major concession to his lack of recent riding yesterday, letting his stirrups leathers down two holes to place less strain on his legs.
"I will get the stirrups back to their normal lengths after about a week," he said.
"I think I'll be back to peak in about two or three weeks, just in time for Trentham."
O'Sullivan will continue his comeback with three rides at Thames today.
Horse Racing: Nervous return for champ
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