He grew up a stone’s throw from the Port Macquarie racecourse and has gone on to bigger and better things in the racing world.

A Port Macquarie Cup success is one of the very few boxes that haven’t been ticked, but he did only ride in his first one 12 months ago.

The first year he was eligible to ride in it the track was out of action so he is hopeful of adding a win to a growing list of achievements on Friday.

Adkins finished fourth in last year’s race and after a whirlwind 12 months, he returns home.

It will be his one and only trip this year to an area he remembers fondly.

“I’ve never won a Port Cup and I’ve been going there (to the track) since I was a two-year-old,” Adkins said.

“I won a Wauchope Cup, but have never won at Port Macquarie so it would be pretty special if I do manage to win one at my home course.

“A meeting like the Port Cup has plenty of money involved and gives me a chance to come home.”

If you blink you might miss him as he flies in on Friday morning and is straight out after the race.

“Port Cup is one of those days you have to come home for and take the time out to do it,” he said.

“It would be very special to win my home town cup because no race is easy to win and the Port Macquarie Cup is no different so I’d be certainly chuffed if I did win it.”

Adkins will arguably be better prepared this time around and was confident the barrier seven draw would not harm his chance of picking up a first Port Cup.

“It should be fine, it’s a big enough field and I should be able to land in a nice enough position,” he said.

“It’s not ideal, but it’s not the worst draw.”

The John Sprague-trained Glitra is Adkins’ third horse he has been drawn on already this week.

“Hopefully we’ve got the right one and I can’t wait to get home and ride at the track again,” Adkins said.

“It’s been a while.

“I’d love to stay at home for a little bit longer, but it makes it easier without driving. We do work long hours and being able to fly is a lot easier option.”

The 20-year-old remains confident of continuing his recent run of success over the last two years and has an eye on the biggest stage of all.

His ultimate dream is to ride at Flemington on the first Tuesday of November in coming years.

“That’ll last for a lifetime; no matter how many horses you ride you always want to ride in the Melbourne Cup,” he said.

“Anything could happen. I could get a ride in the next couple of years and it’s been a great 12 months for myself.

“I’ve won the metro premiership and rising star series and taken out about four group races.”

Friday’s Port Macquarie Cup feature race jumps at 4.55pm.