Racing: Waddell to resume at Hastings after ban

Top apprentice jockey Jason Waddell returns to New Zealand racing tomorrow.

Waddell, 19, will be in action at the Hawkes Bay meeting at Hastings tomorrow for the first time since incurring a four-month suspension in Singapore in July after failing to ride out a horse to the satisfaction of stewards.

His return to New Zealand has been prompted by his weight - he ballooned to 68kg while on the sidelines. In an effort to reduce his weight, he was in Singapore for a month riding trackwork but is still at 55kg.

Said Waddell: "The Singapore Turf Club has brought in a new rule that overseas riders must be able to ride at 53kg.

"It wasn't a good look for me to be 55.5 and after discussions with trainer Laurie Laxon, it was decided that it would be best if I returned to New Zealand."

Waddell said he had not given up hope of returning to Singapore but at this point he plans to complete his apprenticeship in New Zealand. He has signed back on with his father Noel, a trainer at Otaki, and will complete his apprenticeship on his 20th birthday in May.

Waddell was one of NZ's top apprentices before going to Singapore, where he topped the apprentice premiership last year.

- NZPA