FOR years, Caine Stuart has dreamed of becoming a jockey.
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The 19-year-old from Eaglehawk hopes a move to Canberra will help him achieve his goal.
Stuart has taken up a position as a stablehand and track rider for veteran trainer Keith Dryden, long regarded as one of Australia's best nurturers of jockeys.
Until a month ago, Stuart was employed as a stablehand and track rider at Brent Stanley's Cloud 9 Thoroughbreds at Sutton Grange.
He describes being entrusted with the strapping duties of It's Kind of Magic, when the emerging filly broke through for her first city win at Moonee Valley in December, as a highlight of his stint with the Group-winning trainer.
"Brent has been a great influence for me - I've just moved up here for a better opportunity," he said.
"Racing in Victoria only takes a certain amount of apprentices a year and it's a small number.
"I thought things were going to be a bit hard. Racing New South Wales doesn't have such a strict limit, hopefully it will be a bit easier to get through.
"I was told by a lot of people Keith's a very good mentor and a great boss to be apprenticed to."
With 35 horses in work at Dryden's stable and only one apprentice currently on the books, Stuart is keeping busy.
The aspiring jockey admitted it had been tough to leave Bendigo behind, in particular his close-knit family.
He said the situation had been made even tougher with much of Australia under lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"It's a bit hard being away from home, but it's all worthwhile," Stuart said.
"I've been giving FaceTime a bit of a work out.
"It's hitting me hard being away from family, but I'll survive through it."
Strict coronavirus social distancing rules have put a stop on his other sporting love - judo.
Stuart is a seven-time national champion and aims to continue training and competing once the sport is given the green light to resume.
"I have found a coach up here in Tuggeranong, Matt D'Aquino. The club is called Beyond Grappling," he said.
"I went there a couple of weeks ago for one session before this coronavirus hit.
"It's been a bit hard not training given the love I have for the sport, so I won't be giving it up."
Stuart has previously competed overseas at the 2017 World Judo Championships in Chile in and the Cadet European Judo Cup in Russia and Germany in 2018.
But for now his focus is firmly on making his way in the thoroughbred racing industry.
"I just want to be the best jockey I can be. I know it takes time, but I won't give up on my dream," he said.
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