KEY POINTS:
Heavyweight jockey Jamie Mott is enjoying one of the most successful periods in his career.
Forced to quit his apprenticeship nearly two years ago because of increasing weight, the 19-year-old has rediscovered himself.
Limited to riding at 55kg and above, he brought up his 40th winner from just over 200 rides for the season on Moderato at Sandown yesterday. Mott said he had virtually given away the idea of ever riding again until about 12 months ago when he stepped on the scales after nearly a year off the scene.
"I quit my apprenticeship completely and close to 12 months after that I saw the scales sitting there," he said.
"I thought I may as well jump on them and to my surprise I was 57kg. I thought I was mad to be quitting and giving it away if I could still stay in the game.
"My weight came down after giving my body a good rest and I'm thankful to be back."
Mott, who has ridden 193 winners after making it a double yesterday on Cognac Bay in the Woorak Handicap, returned to riding last February and has made the most of his opportunities with the backing of stables such as his former master Danny O'Brien and Mathew Ellerton.
Mott's strike rate hovered between 8 and 15 per cent in his first four seasons but is now up at about 20 per cent.
He has amassed 32 winners from 129 mounts over the last three months.
Five of his last seven rides have been winners. He rode a double from three rides at Yarra Glen last Thursday and scored on Mettre En Jeu with his only ride at Swan Hill on Friday.
The Ellerton-trained Moderato carried 58kg yesterday to land the Sobar Handicap (2400m) by nearly a length from We Wonder and Adams Peak.
"It has been a very good three days," Mott said.
Mott doesn't have a special diet to control his weight, just as long as he eats small portions.
- AAP