"I'll JUST HAVE TO KEEP WORKING HARD"

By Graham Potter | Sunday, April 3, 2022

In his first nine days back in the saddle there was a satisfying demand for Du Plessis’ services.

The nineteen rides Du Plessis had from March 26 until April 3 originated from no less than sixteen trainers … to all of which Du Plessis acknowledges a debt of gratitude at this important stage of his career.

Breaking into the riding ranks for trainers who feature in the top ten In the Brisbane Trainer’s Premiership must seem like trying to move a mountain sometimes.

That obviously is the source of the most regular supply of winners.

All a rider can do is keep chipping away at trying to attract the support of the top trainers and that is exactly what Du Plessis is doing … and winning on long shots is one way of doing that.

Kelly Schweida was the only trainer in that top ten on the Premiership ladder (he is currently travelling along very nicely in fifth place) who has used Du Plessis since the jockey’s return. That resulted in a $16 winner (Tyresa) … which was a very good outcome for all concerned.

“I was actually pleasantly surprised with my fitness when I came back,” said du Plessis, “but I had been training pretty hard in the gym.

“I thought I’d be driving up to the gym one day and thinking … ah, not this again, but I’m actually looking forward to it.

“Honestly, I do feel better and getting good results obviously helps in terms of motivation.

“Do I feel stronger? Let’s say I’m still getting there … but I’m very happy with the way things are going.

"I'll just have to keep working hard!"

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