Adam Hyeronimus is on the cusp of a riding comeback after being granted approval to return to trackwork – and Gai Waterhouse has declared he can be every bit as good as he was before his betting ban.
The group 1-winning jockey, who was suspended for two years and four months for having an interest in bets on races, has made his first tentative steps back in the sport through regular trackwork for Tulloch Lodge.
His ban ends in January, and Racing NSW has given him the green light to work horses of a morning to build his fitness.
Hyeronimus could return to the trials next month and race riding as soon as February.
Adam Hyeronimus is on the cusp of a riding return after a suspension for betting offences.Credit:Getty
The hoop was riding the crest of a wave before he was outed by stewards, who initially gave him a three-year penalty – the longest ban in the modern era for a range of betting offences. They also alleged that Hyeronimus had backed two horses he had ridden in races.
The initial penalty was reduced significantly on appeal.
Hyeronimus has worked hard on his weight recently and received a glowing endorsement from Hall of Fame trainer Waterhouse, who said he could return to his career peak when he rode Shout The Bar to victory in the group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes in 2020.
“I know Adam very well and there’s a very different person,” Waterhouse said. “He’s grown up and he’s had time to think about things. He wants to get out and make a go of it, and he will make a go of it. He’s a top-class jockey.
“He’s come back extremely focused, very determined to get back and be up there in the premiership. He’s very determined to get fit. He’s realised time on the outer is no fun, and he wants to be part of the action again.”
Hyeronimus had four consecutive seasons in which he rode more than 50 winners before the stewards investigation, which also resulted in Hyeronimus’ cousin and licensed stablehand, Blake Paine, being banned. Paine has since returned to the industry.
Asked whether Hyeronimus would be supported by the stable, Waterhouse said: “Determination is a great thing. He’s got to come back, and you’ve got Regan Bayliss, you’ve got Tim Clark, Blake Shinn, Brenton [Avdulla], Rachel King … they’re all riding for us. He’s got to fit in.
“But he’s determined and he’s fit – and that’s half the battle.”
Former trainer Tim Martin has also lent his support to Hyeronimus in recent times.
Hyeronimus’ renaissance comes at the same time as Racing NSW prepare for an inquiry in which regional-based jockeys Jordan Mallyon and Jack Martin have been charged with betting offences over a probe into links between riders and professional punters, and senior jockey Tommy Berry has been charged by stewards over his alleged association with punter Zaid Miller.
Waterhouse, who is holidaying overseas, won’t be at Royal Randwick to watch her emerging stayers Zoumon and Military Mission chase consecutive wins when they clash in a restricted event on Saturday.
“I think they’ll run first and second,” Waterhouse said. “Zoumon is a man on a mission and Military Mission won first up. They’re both going super and they’ve both got excellent chances.”
