Mott comes back a winner and vows to continue

By Robert Windmill

MELBOURNE, March 5 AAP - Talented heavyweight jockey Jamie Mott vowed he was back for good after making a winning return to race riding following a four month suspension for cocaine use.

The 20-year-old said he could not have hoped for a better return to the saddle after Asphalt Jungle, his last of three rides at Ballarat on Thursday, landed the Ballarat Come To Life Showcase (1600m).

Looking lean and keen, Mott said he was fitter than ever and committed to taking his career to a new level.

"I am back for good this time and I am looking forward to the future," Mott said.

"It was always a problem for me to remain focused but this time around I have never wanted anything so badly."

In November, Mott pleaded guilty to using cocaine after being randomly drug tested at Horsham where he rode a double on October 18.

Mott said he took the wrong path in life and was thankful for the support of his parents, his manager Craig Dickson, and Victorian Jockey Association chief executive Des O'Keeffe.

"I would like to thank everyone who has helped me," Mott said.

For the past three months Mott has ridden work every day for Flemington trainer Mathew Ellerton and has been running 11 kilometres a day, as well as walking and doing gym sessions.

"I am as fit as I could be at the moment," Mott said.

"I just have to get race fit but that won't take too long."

Mott was for a time apprenticed to Flemington trainer Danny O'Brien but being nearly six feet (180cm) tall meant he has had a growing battle with weight which has from time to time interrupted his promising career.

Mott was planning a big comeback at Kyneton where he had five rides on Tuesday but was forced to wait two days when that meeting was abandoned because of an extreme weather forecast.

At Ballarat, Mott rode at 56.5kg and he was thrilled to be back on a winner.

"It is fantastic," Mott said.

Asphalt Jungle is trained by Bill and Symon Wilde who have Baughurst engaged in the Group One Australian Cup on Saturday.

AAP TURF rw/cw