Back where it all began for Hayse
TWENTY years after completing his apprenticeship on the Gold Coast, David Hayse will return in what will be another new beginning for the experienced jockey.
Hayse will continue his return from injury today when he rides the John Smerdontrained Kincaple Chief in the BenchMark 65 Handicap (1400m) at Aquis Park.
Two rides in Rockhampton earlier this week were the first in 10 months for the 43-yearold who injured his shoulder and left bicep after falling mid-race on Our Preference in Townsville last year.
“The body is feeling pretty good,” Hayse said.
“I’m a bit muscle sore but that’s to be expected after 10 months off.”
The Morayfield resident has been riding trackwork for Smerdon as part of his rehabilitation and said he was growing in confidence each time he got in the saddle.
“I’m pretty confident I’m going to hold up,” Hayse said.
“It’s now a matter of getting my fitness up and getting those muscles working again.”
Hayse largely avoided injury through the first 15 years of his career but has battled multiple setbacks, including two knee reconstructions, in the past five.
“I have unfortunately had an injury-prone run but it’s to be expected,” Hayse said.
“I barely had an injury in the first 15 years and it evens itself out when you have been riding that long.
“Unfortunately it’s something I’m getting used to.”
Hayse did his apprenticeship under Kaye Tinsley on the Gold Coast but spent the majority of his time between 2004 and 2011 in Dubai, where he rode on World Cup Day in 2004, and Qatar.
He returned to ride in Queensland in 2011 but has been forced to spend most weekends flying to the north of the state to get more consistent opportunities.
“I’d love to ride more at the Gold Coast,” Hayse said.
“The airfares eat you alive going up north. After spending so much time away, that is the only place where opportunities arose when I came back.
“I’d be happy to ride in the Northern Rivers and a few in Southeast Queensland.”
Smerdon conceded Kincaple Chief had struggled to find form in the first five runs of this preparation and said the seven-year-old gelding may go for a spell if he doesn’t improve today.
Smerdon was more confident his other runner, Silent Statue, could produce a second straight win.