By Jordan Gerrans
In an attempt to create a second career outside of the racing industry, former champion apprentice jockey Lacey Morrison is on the verge of making a return to race riding.
The well-travelled 36-year-old has not ridden in a race since early in 2013.
Her comeback to the saddle ramped up this week, riding in trials at the Gold Coast and Doomben to get her tick of approval from QRIC stewards.
The north Queensland-based Morrison will mainly ride for leading Tolga trainer Sharlee D’Avila when she does make her official return, likely to be early next month at Atherton Turf Club.
Morrison, a Group race-winning rider, has had a storied career in the racing industry.
She was once a top hoop in her younger days, having a crack at training at one stage, also working as a steward and tutoring apprentice jockeys over the last couple of decades.
And, in an attempt to secure a long-term future away from the racing game, she will get back into it in a full-time basis – as curious as that sounds.
Morrison is studying to be a nurse and instead of juggling part-time jobs, as well as being a single mother, she will return to race riding to supplement her income, while also hitting the books.
“I love riding work, it is not like work for me, it is like getting paid to go to the gym,” Morrison said.
“I made the decision to go back riding, so I can stay at home with my son and study as well because I want to be a nurse, that is what I want to do.
“Going back race riding will give me the financial stability to do that.
“I love riding, my weight is really good, it is the best it has been for ten years.
“I did not stop race riding because I did not love doing it.”
Morrison’s comeback was instigated by close mate D’Avila.
One of the top trainers in north Queensland these days, D’Avila usually rides all her own work in the morning but a busted shoulder a few months ago put her on the sidelines for around four weeks.
At the time, Morrison was working at a produce store, on top of her employment in the aged care sector, which involved delivering horse feed to D’Avila’s stable.
“She asked me if I wanted to come back and ride some work while she was hurt and I said 'no, I am done with the racing industry',” Morrison recalled.
“I was working in other areas and looking to study as well, I was not thinking about racing at all.
“Since then, a few things changed with my son and I was no longer working full-time and decided to start riding work again and helping Sharlee out and other trainers, as well.”
Track work riders are always a valued commodity in the north of the Sunshine State and when Morrison was back, she was quickly snapped up to help other stables, such as Janel Ryan’s, among others.
“Lacey has just got the bug back, we have been talking about it for a few months,” Sharlee said.
“She is a hard worker and when she rides my horses, she does everything I tell her to do and she has nice hands, all the horses click with her.”