KEY POINTS:
Constantly reading the Best Bets form guide instead of studying at university meant it took Kerry Hobbs a year or two longer to gain his degree.
But it ended up landing him the job he always dreamed of - in racing administration.
And today Hobbs will be in the Riccarton grandstand trying to live another of his dreams - winning a race like the $220,000 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup with well-fancied Tedriffic.
Hobbs is the secretary/general manager of the Taranaki Racing Club and Taranaki Trotting Club, a job he was surprised he landed 22 years ago.
After his slow climb to a degree, Hobbs had no idea what to do with his life and went teaching for six years.
"I really enjoyed that, but racing is all I've ever wanted to do, but didn't know how to break in.
"You know how most young boys cut out pictures of cars and race them around the kitchen table, well I cut out horses and did the same.
"Horses have always interested me more than cars."
After the six years of teaching an opportunity was about to be presented.
"The secretary at Taranaki was moving on and he suggested I apply for the job.
"They told me I was the worst interview of all the applicants, but they gave me the job. Those hours I spent studying the Best Bets at uni eventually paid off."
Hobbs sees his employment as a passion rather than a job.
"I just love it - the horses and the people," he said having a couple of beers at Show Day at Addington yesterday.
The celebration if Tedriffic can win will be a lot more hectic.
Hobbs bred Tedriffic when he bought the service fee to the gelding's sire Istadaad off the Taranaki Jockey Club.
"Brian Corbett, who stands Istadaad, did a deal with the club which involved two service fees and they were to go up for tender.
"There has never been a great breeding element in the club and the tenders weren't up to much, so I bought them."
Hobbs is great mates - at socialising and at golf - with Tedriffic's trainer John Wheeler.
"Wheels is great company and that's as important to me as the training of a horse, which obviously he is very accomplished at."
Tedriffic showed he is a great chance in today's big race when he finished a luckless second in the main lead-up race at Riccarton last weekend.
"I think he's a big chance to win," said John Wheeler, who has won the last two New Zealand Cups.
