Racing: Just like starting over for Bosson

Opie Bosson feels like a 15-year-old apprentice on his first day of race riding at Dargaville today.

The winner of 20 group one races has made comebacks from weight problems before.

But this time when Bosson jumps aboard Belle Of Marju in race seven - his first race-day ride since January last year - he swears this return will stick.

"I feel really keen and excited - it's like getting a ride on my first raceday again.

"To tell you the truth I have really missed it in the time I've had off and I've never had this much energy before," said Bosson, 25.

Bosson owes his mental and physical overhaul to Sure Slim, an international weight-loss and wellness organisation that takes a holistic approach to stripping the flab off.

In just a matter of weeks Bosson has shrunk from 72kg to 58kg - and never felt better.

"It wasn't hard at all to get my weight off, as long as you stick to the plan," said Bosson, who is thriving on the new mix of fish, chicken, vegetables and fruit.

"I've never handled the weight problems properly before, but when you see the results happen this fast, it makes you keener to keep going."

Bosson admits he still has some work to regain the eye that won him an Auckland Cup on Jezabeel and a VRC Oaks on Grand Archway, both while still an apprentice.

But the father of 8-month-old Cody isn't far off full fitness.

Pre-training with wife, former jockey Samantha (nee Spratt), has helped, as have trackwork and a handful of trials rides, in which Bosson looks to have lost nothing in the way of balance.

"It's a good time to return now so I can be ready for the spring," Bosson.

"I always knew I wanted to come back when I felt ready - I just didn't want it to be half-hearted."

Bosson admits his raceday return was originally intended for this Saturday's meeting at home-track Rotorua where he is booked to partner Ascot Isle at 56kg in the listed feature.

But then trainer Bob Vance phoned asking him to link today with Belle Of Marju, a horse he rode in the 2005 New Zealand Oaks for former trainer Lance O'Sullivan.

From an outside alley fresh-up over 1400m with 58kg, it may be a bit much to ask Belle Of Marju to produce a fairytale result.

But Bosson should only have to wait a little over an hour more to get the tally under way with the only other Dargaville ride he had confirmed yesterday. Bridie Belle, his mount in the R92 2000m, looks perfectly placed to score an overdue victory after promising recent runs in black type company.