Racing: Return already on the books

Top Queensland apprentice Gavin McKeon loves New Zealand racing so much he would move here permanently tomorrow.

The only problem is he has a wife in Brisbane who may not be so thrilled about the idea.

"I've moved her twice now already and she's stuck with me," smiles McKeon, desperate to ride his 10th New Zealand winner in just a month at Avondale today.

"If I picked her up and moved again I'm not so sure how she'd handle it."

With an average of six city rides a day in Brisbane, McKeon admits he took a huge financial gamble with his New Zealand working holiday that ends this weekend.

But McKeon flies back on Monday with his first listed win under his belt and a lot more than anything money can buy - a renewed sense of why he became a jockey in the first place.

"New Zealand has made me realise I can enjoy myself again - it's been real eye-opener," admits McKeon. "I've just been so overawed at how generous and friendly people have been here."

Few riders could do with a shot of the feel-good factor more than McKeon, who knows more about triumph over adversity than most.

For years McKeon, 26, knocked on trainers' doors desperate for an apprenticeship only to be waved away with, "you're too tall, don't waste your time".

Discouraged but not beaten, the 179cm McKeon instead drifted into the building trade and also got the OE out of his system in London.

Then, not long after returning home, he went to a picnic meeting for a day out - and was hooked again.

"It took me another two years to get my picnic licence. Then when a trainer [Tiger Holland] asked me to ride trackwork for him I said I would if he gave me an apprenticeship."

McKeon battled with weight and for rides."But I worked that hard people had to put me on - that's how I got going."

McKeon signed on with Randwick trainer John Morrish for two years and when he retired moved to Desleigh Forster's barn in Brisbane where he will stay until he comes out of his time in six months.

Meanwhile, McKeon hopes to return to New Zealand next month for the 1000 Guineas' ride on Seachange, his mount at Otaki on Saturday, and to partner Mr Hefner in the New Zealand Cup.

"Mr Hefner has to be a realistic chance - he's a really tough horse and the 3200m should suit."

McKeon guided Mr Hefner to win the Evans Classic at the Counties meeting at Paeroa last month.

Lion Heart looks the pick of the Avondale mounts McKeon's Kiwi agent Wally O'Hearn has assembled.