Retired jumps jockey Danny Crozier is back in New Zealand and training seven horses at Riccarton.

Crozier, who lived in Melbourne for 14 years, had his riding career halted when he was seriously injured in a race fall at Pakenham, Victoria, a year ago.

''I got smashed up and had to have shoulder reconstruction (surgery),'' Crozier, 46, said.

Among his 212 wins over jumps was a memorable success in the South Australia Grand National Steeplechase. The horseman said jumps jockeys in Australia were paid $400 a ride.

Crozier was a successful rider in New Zealand before crossing the Tasman in the late 1990s. He won Riverton's Great Western Steeplechase three times - Skyzam (1997), Grant (1993) and Doctrine Heir (1991).

Palmerston North trainer Kevin Gray has placed two horses in Crozier's stable. They are one-win mare Ask My Wife and maiden galloper Lady Lunchalot.

Red Magic, formerly trained at Cambridge by Brett McDonald, is also with Crozier.

''He's a tough horse and a potential jumper,'' Crozier said.

Crozier, who came back to New Zealand three months ago, can accommodate 12 horses in his stables at Riccarton.

Meanwhile, Christchurch jockey Kylie Williams is close to 500 career wins.

Williams brought up her 494th victory on Tuatap in the Hokonui Contracting Ltd Maiden at Gore on Tuesday. She has six rides at Riccarton tomorrow.

The jockey began race-riding in November, 1996, with her first win scored on Kwik Silver at the Birchwood Hunt Club fixture at Ascot Park in March, 1997. Kwik Silver, trained by Bill Dryden, won a maiden race at the meeting.

Gore winner All Spice will be nominated for a $12,000 rating 85 1200m at Wyndham on October 26. All Spice was returning from a four and a half-month break when he won, carrying 62.5kg, at Gore on Tuesday.

It was his first win since his victory at Blenheim 18 months ago.

Trainer John McKay, of Gore, said All Spice had ''a lot of niggly problems'' last season.

''We had the chiropractor to him, he had an infected wither and got galloped on.''

All Spice is unlikely to race at the New Zealand Cup meeting at Riccarton next month.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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