By Jordan Gerrans
Veteran jockey Vishan Venkaya ticked off one of his dreams at Caloundra on Sunday afternoon and he has a few more to achieve as he transitions into the second phase of his career in racing.
The 49-year-old also achieved a couple of special milestones at Corbould Park that late last year seemed like they were near-on impossible.
The Mauritius product suffered a terrible fall at the Sunshine Coast in late December of last year and he feared his career in the saddle was likely to be over.
The well-travelled hoop has fought his way back from extensive rehabilitation to take his first rides back and now has plans to move into training.
Venkaya is a dual-licensed trainer and jockey at the moment, with the likelihood he focuses in on his conditioning of gallopers in the near future.
He is thinking big when it comes to his training career.
“This was my dream to go from being a jockey to being a trainer,” Venkaya said.
“Now that dream is accomplished.
“Hopefully I can get some better horses and win a Group 1 one day.”
Former Townsville-based mare Frazzled was the first official starter in Venkaya’s training pursuits, transferring to his barn after recently doing her racing for Liliana McCormack.
The bay mare got well back in her first assignment for her new trainer and rider but the veteran hoop was pleased with the effort.
“Coming from the form in Townsville, to run fifth, that was a courageous run,” he said.
“I was very pleased with the first run and hopefully from that run she can improve.
“I think we will look to Kilcoy or Gatton for a race in the near future as well as something that is a little bit further.
“I think she has had a big improvement since she has come to me and that is exciting for me.”
Regardless of his training career, the Deagon-based Venkaya is smiling to be back out on the track doing what he loves.
When the rider came off Spiritual at Caloundra on December 27 of last year, he feared his days in the saddle were over.
It took Venkaya seven months before he was back able to ride in trials and track work after suffering injuries to several different parts of his body.
As well as his return booking on his own galloper on Sunday, Venkaya travelled south of the border for one ride at Lismore for fellow Deagon trainer Christopher Zintilis on Monday.