AFTER a stint away, former jockey, Mick Hoy, is back in town and the Hamilton Racing Club track manager is excited for his first Hamilton Cup since returning to the region.

The 64-year-old said preparations were coming along well ahead of next Saturday’s race meeting.

“Everything is coming along really nicely, the track is in condition and the surrounds are starting to take shape,” he said.

“The track is shaping up really well at this stage.

“I have had a few meetings under my belt to get back into the swing of things, but really looking forward to the cup and all we need is the sun to come out and the weather on side to have a good day.”

The former jockey returned to the region after a stint away, and with family in Tarrington, employment was the last stepping stone to tick off.

“We always intended to return to Hamilton, my wife got a transfer for her work,” Hoy said.

“We have three young grandchildren and our daughter is in Tarrington, I just poked my nose in here to see if there was any work and certain circumstances led to me being employed here as curator again.

“Overall, it has been very positive since I have been back.”

Having been involved in the racing industry for more than 40 years, Hoy still has the passion to ensure horses have the best conditions and racegoers can enjoy the best possible day out.

Having worked his way up from an early age, Hoy said he wasn’t motivated by income, but his passion for the industry.

“It is just the passion for the horses, it was never about money, it was the animals that attracted me,” he said.

“I came up through the ranks, as a stablehand then an apprentice jockey then a jockey then I stayed involved in the industry in some form, being as a strapper or track rider, but as I have got older, I have moved across to the track preparation and the curator side of things.”

Hoy’s jockey career lasted nearly 20 years, including a few months in Mauritius.

“Probably the highlight for me personally was winning the Hamilton Cup in 1986 on Arctic Vision,” he said.

“I think I rode 25 metropolitan winners as well, so probably rode close to 800 winners from about 5500 rides.”

After spending so long in the saddle, his understanding of tracks and what is required has helped him transition into curating and preparing tracks for race meets.

Even since retiring from track work, Hoy still speaks to track riders often to get their thoughts on the Hamilton surface ahead of race days.

“When I initially took on the role here 10 or 15 years ago, I was still riding track work, so I could see things from a rider’s perspective, but now that I am on the ground, I don’t always see everything,” he said.

“So I am always talking to the track riders now, we have a really good understanding with the local participants and I like to be on the front foot with them.

“I don’t feel pressure personally, you will never please everyone. At an eight-race program, only eight people leave happy.

“I think it is the satisfaction that at the end of the day, knowing you have produced a good track and most people seem to be happy with it.”