Mott working hard to make up for lost time

COMING back from a broken leg, former Geelong jockey Jamie Mott knew he was in for a tough time.

The leading rider had been forced to stay in Melbourne due to the pandemic, so competition for rides was fierce.

It took Mott aback just how competitive.

“It’s been crazy. You’ve got no choice other than to do a bit extra, whether it’s riding a couple of extra ones in trackwork and trials or getting about the state riding,” he said. “If you don’t do that, you’re not going to get many chances.

“You ride in trials or jumpouts or trackwork and then it’s off to the races.”

Last weekend Mott rode for four consecutive days in all parts of the state — Donald, Flemington, Swan Hill and Mornington.

After riding at Flemington on Saturday he headed to Bendigo overnight to cut time off his trip to Swan Hill.

At Swan Hill, Mott claimed a feature race when he won the Elvstroem Classic on Rock The Ring for Lindsay Park.

He then won at Mornington on Monday on Twain’s Express, and won on Walking Flying at Sale on Wednesday for six winners since Friday.

Mott, 32, broke his tibia, fibula and ankle in November in a Cranbourne race fall.

He had surgery but after three months a scan found his leg had not healed.

A second opinion from surgeon Andrew Opie resulted in more surgery in February and the insertion of a rod.

Amazingly, Mott was back riding by May 11.

He has two rides at the Valley tomorrow, frontrunner Mockery and backmarker Jamaican Hurry.