KEY POINTS:
Stephen Autridge says he looks forward to reaching for the alarm clock several hours before dawn and wanting to get up.
He says the pressure of the successful partnership with Graeme Rogerson has been bleeding away the enjoyment of horse training for him.
Which is why he is heading to Te Awamutu and a three-way partnership with father-and-son combination of Keith and Brendon Hawtin.
He says there is absolutely no animosity between himself and Graeme Rogerson as he leaves six years of working together behind.
"I've had enough of being flat stick for six years, it's time to take it a bit easier."
The Autridge/Rogerson partnership won the NZ Trainers' premiership twice and shared it once with Mark Walker during the six years.
They produced 425 winners, won $5 million in stakes and brought home a little more than 20 stakes and group-rated wins.
Autridge said his proudest moment of the partnership was the day Lashed won the group one International Stakes at Te Rapa and Taatletail took the group two Sir Tristram Classic on the same card.
The stable is in fourth place on the premiership behind Walker, Stephen McKee and Michael Pitman.
Previously Autridge spent five successful years as private trainer to Te Akau Racing Stables at Matamata.
He joined Rogerson almost days after Keith Hawtin, who will be his new partner, left Rogerson to take up a training post in Dubai.
"Basically Keith walked out and I walked in. Now we'll be training together."
Rogerson flew back to New Zealand from his Sydney base last night.
He said he had yet to announce Autridge's replacement.
Autridge says at aged 47 he wants to smell the roses.
"The commitment in the job I'm leaving is total. I've worked hard enough, I want to watch the kids play sport.
"You've got to enjoy what you're doing to do it well."
