IT seems fitting that Port Macquarie jockey Andrew Adkins will finish his apprenticeship on Melbourne Cup day this year.
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After winning his third-straight apprentice jockey title, Adkins ultimate goal is to ride at Flemington on the first Tuesday in November.
Now he is about to make the step into the senior level he knows it will take a lot of hard work and anything could happen.
When asked how realistic he felt the goal of appearing in the starting gates on Melbourne Cup day was, Adkins was confident what he could achieve.
He also knows there are plenty more winners to be ridden between now and then.
“Racing in the Melbourne Cup is a career dream, but my goal in the future is to ride a Group 1 winner, but I know that would be difficult to achieve and will take time and hard work to get there,” he said.
“The Melbourne Cup could be five years away or it could be six months, you don’t know long it’s going to take because it’s the luck of the draw really.”
If the last three years are any indication, the 19-year-old is aware more than most that hard work does get rewarded.
“Patience can be one thing, but working hard and listening to the right people and getting on fast horses is another,” he said.
Adkins claimed the country apprentice premiership in 2015, then backed it up with a provincial win last year.
He completed the trifecta last week after Hugh Bowman was ruled to have impeded him on the dash to the finish line.
The Port Macquarie jockey said taking out the Sydney apprentice premiership was his greatest achievement to date.
“You’re riding against world-class riders and world-class horses and riding on great tracks in front of great trainers,” he said.
“It’s a big step up and Sydney is the pinnacle of racing and is one of the hardest to win because you’re up against the best of the best and you’re proving yourself when you’re around those sort of people and horses.
“It was a dream and a goal of mine at the same time so it’s very special and I’m very humbled to be able to win it.”
From August 1 last year until July 31 this year, Adkins rode an incredible 36 winners, 10 clear of his nearest rival.
He said the influence of boss Ron Quinton shouldn’t be underestimated.
“Ron has been my biggest supporter and stood by me since day one when I moved to Sydney,” he said.
“He’s done a great job with me and I wouldn’t be here without him.”