“I was getting rides in Victoria but they were just not quality as I am riding against some of the highest ranked trainers and jockeys in Australia,” an honest Hocking said.
“It is not uncommon for me to go out to a race in the bush and ride against six jockeys who have all won Group 1 races, so they get the pick of the bunch before you get into it.
“When you are an apprentice, you get that incentive with the claim, but once you become a senior rider, many can struggle.”
When Hocking was in his apprentice time, he rode for trainers such as Terry O'Sullivan and Ross McDonald and came through the system with top hoops like Billy Egan, Jake Noonan, Jack Hill and Jarrod Fry.
He regularly rides work in Geelong, Stawell and Ballarat in recent years following his comeback to the saddle.
Hocking – who has 77 career winners to his name after taking his first ride back in 2007 - first met Miller during his apprentice days in Victoria.
“I will see how things go and if I go well enough here and I can see a profitable potential to be here – over Victoria – then I would probably move up,” he said.
“It will be then about finding accommodation then for me and my dog.
“It has been good so far.
“With a bit of luck I might be able to get a couple of these horses home on Saturday.
“If I can get a result this weekend then it might help me get a few more opportunities at other places like Cairns and Townsville in the future.”
Hocking has one ride for Miller on Saturday afternoon – Caieron in the Benchmark 60 Handicap – as well as an engagement each for Cairns trainers Scott Cooper, Alwyn Bailey and one for FNQ Cups queen Janel Ryan.
He will return to Victoria soon after Saturday's races and then make a call on where his permanent home will be from there.