Walker whips into top shape

FOR THE first time since his serious pig hunting accident two years ago, former champion jockey Michael Walker says he is again fully fit, healthy and focused.

He has moved back to his home town of Rotorua, taken on a new manager, is looking for a sponsor and has landed a prime ride, Military Move, for Saturday's $2.2 million New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie.

Walker, 25, who was seen at his brilliant best, rating Spectacular Icon to a front-running win in yesterday's $50,000 Trac Stakes at Matamata, has set his sights on a top-four finish in the jockeys' premiership this season.

In May, 2008, Walker suffered life-threatening head injuries when he fell down a 10-metre bank.

While he made it back to the racetrack seven months later, and into the winner's circle at only his second ride, it took much longer for the former star jockey to be happy with his performance.

"It's taken me a long time to get through the toll that accident took on my health and my personal life, and I know that my riding has not always been the best because of this," Walker said.

"I would ride one race really well and the next one poorly, and that was a lot to do with fatigue. But now I am riding consistently well and I'm on my game."

Being back in Rotorua with family has also had a positive influence on Walker.

"There is nothing like the support you get from your own family," he said. "My two children mean more than anything else in the world to me."

Walker's new manager, Hamilton's Hugh Crawford, has already had a big influence on Walker.

"He has even taken a close interest in my personal appearance and got me to shave off my ponytail."

Crawford says he admires the way Walker has re-dedicated himself. "He is turning up to the track at 5am and is riding trackwork at Cambridge on Tuesdays and Matamata on Thursdays.

"He is the first to admit he has let both himself and his supporters down in recent times. He allowed his weight to rise and lost the faith and confidence of many.

"The fact he is still in the top 10 on the jockeys' premiership is testament to his massive ability."

Crawford says Walker is determined to prove he has grown from a boy into a man.

At only 16, Walker was the country's top jockey and broke one record after another during his Taranaki-based apprenticeship, which netted 653 wins.

Walker says his remarkable early success and huge income gave him a false sense of reality, and he made many mistakes.

"I regret a number of the decisions I made but I've matured now and I want to earn the respect of the industry again. The only way I am going to do this is through hard work and commiment."

Crawford has set up a website for Walker where, for the first time in New Zealand, trainers will be able to book his services on-line and receive an instant reply.

Walker has also committed to helping out Riding For The Disabled whenever he can with personal visits to encourage the organisation's riders. "This is my way of giving something back and acknowledging I am lucky to be riding again."

- © Fairfax NZ News