Racing: Australian jockey is really on the move

Have couch, will travel.

That's the motto of returning Aussie jockey Gavin McKeon as he reunites with Seachange and hustles for supporting rides over the next three months.

"I know I'm going around in circles, but I'm lucky I have friends here who I know will look after me wherever I go," said McKeon, whose high-mileage odyssey continues at Te Aroha today.

"My attitude is that I'll go wherever I'm needed and if people give me rides, I'll make an effort to ride work for them.

"If they support me, I'll support them - that's the way I'm doing things."

After just a week back in New Zealand, McKeon is already an instant hit living out of his Hastings Bay Ford-sponsored car.

He kicked home two long-shots in his first two raceday rides since a broken elbow in a trackwork fall cut short a three-month freelance contract in Macau.

But the early comeback highlight comes tomorrow when he rides Seachange in Cambridge trackwork, the first time McKeon's been aboard since the champion filly was sidelined with a pedal bone injury last summer.

"She's the main reason I'm here," said McKeon, who is expecting to ride at a fully-fit 54kg by August 1.

"What I achieved with her has opened up the world to me; having that group one race [the 1000 Guineas] on your resume helps a lot when you're talking to people overseas.

"I just hope she keeps on winning - she could be great for New Zealand racing."

Safely through Seachange's spring assignments, which at this stage include Hastings' rich triple-crown series, McKeon packs his bags again and heads to Dubai.

Queensland's former champion apprentice has picked up a contract as "second fiddle" for three-time premiership leader Satish Seemar behind stable headliners Ted Durcan and the UK's top apprentice Ryan Moore.

"To be honest it's not going to be huge money; it's more for the experience riding against a different class of jockey," said McKeon.

"They're all world class up there and riding second fiddle can only help."

Meanwhile, with just a couple of ordinary rides at Te Aroha today, McKeon's fans may have to wait until Otaki tomorrow and Ellerslie on Saturday to cash in on his return.

The Te Aroha card highlight is shaping as another premiership battle between Mark Walker and the Graeme Rogerson-Stephen Autridge partnership.

For a guy who just a few weeks back said he didn't have the winter team to match Rogerson and Autridge in the stretch, Walker is sure making a tight race of it.

Before the start of today's racing, Walker held a one-win lead on 86.