After more than 40,000 races in the sulky, it's no surprise that Chris Alford didn't feel as though he needed any time to get back driving at his best following a serious leg infection.
As he said, "it's just like riding a bike".
Alford was sidelined for close to a month through March and April after being kicked by stable star Sleepee, but following a couple of surgeries and plenty of medication, he's back and fully in the swing of things.
Since his return on April 3, the 52-year-old has already chalked up 19 winners and has seven more chances at tonight's Bendigo meeting.
"It still gets a bit sore now and then, but it's alright," Alford said of his leg.
"I've got to do physio just to try and strengthen the wasted muscles back up and I'm still on antibiotics for another six weeks I think.
"It's still annoying every now and then, but I can sort of walk aright nearly not limping. But I couldn't run or anything."
Alford said the hardest part of having some time away from the races was getting back behind horses he'd been driving previously.
"It's always hard when you have a break. Not so much to drive at your best, but to get your normal drives back because other people have been driving them while you have been out. Some people don't put you back on and stuff like that.
"It's always hard to get restarted, but I'm starting to get there now I think."
Alford said the best of his chances this evening were Secret Identity (Steven Duffy) in the Simonds Homes Bendigo Pace, Live On Broadway (Shannon McLean), a "good each-way chance" in the Northern Rivers Equine Veterinary Clinic Pace, and Trixy Nixie (Alison Alford), who "can win" the Hygain 3YO Maiden Trot.
>> READ MORE: Alford hospitalised with leg infection
TALKING TROTS ON SENTRACK:
Join Jason Bonnington from 11am-1pm each weekday for Trots Life on SENTrack, which airs on 1593AM in Melbourne, 89.1FM in Muldura, 1539AM in Sydney, 1053AM in Brisbane, 1620AM on the Gold Coast, 657AM in Perth, 801AM in Gosford, 96.9FM in Ingham, 99.1FM in Atherton and 1575AM in Wollongong.
Click here to listen live and for links to download the SEN app.
TUNE IN at BENDIGO
First Race: 5.52pm Last Race: 10.52pm
Racecaller: Lachlan McIntosh will be joined on Trots Vision from 7pm by Kirsten Graham and Dan Hibberd.
Trots Vision: WATCH LIVE
SEN Track: LISTEN LIVE
RSN 927: LISTEN LIVE
CRAIG RAIL ON BENDIGO
RACE 9: TAB LONG MAY WE PLAY 3YO PACE
EARLY SPEED:
3 (possible early leader), 2,4,6
SELECTIONS:
ONE TWO MANY (11), BELMONT ROYALE (5), ASTAIR (1), TERROR OF LOCKSLEY (9)
RATINGS:
5,11 / 1 / 9,10 / 4 / 6 / 7
SUGGESTED BET:
ONE TWO MANY (11) each-way
For tips and speedmaps for all races visit Good Form at thetrots.com.au
This week's winners sired by Woodlands Stud stallions
Louie The Punter by Sweet Lou out of Loves A Gamble at Auckland
True Fantasy by Bettors Delight out of Secret Notion at Auckland
Copy That by American Ideal out of Lively Nights at Auckland
Emmy by Bettors Delight out of De Lovely at Addington
Yankee Shard by American Ideal out of Shards A Flyin at Ashburton
Class To The Max by American Ideal out of Charm Personified at Albion Park
Pembrook Playboy by Bettors Delight out of Dudinka's Cullen at Invercargill
Jackpot Joe by Bettors Delight out of Motu Pocket Of Jewels at Pinjarra
Louie The Horse by Sweet Lou out of Bettorkeepthefaith at Pinjarra
Double Up by American Ideal out of Vegas Delight at Gloucester Park
Newsy by Bettors Delight out of Ultimate Art at Gloucester Park
Soho Bollinger by Bettors Delight out of Soho Champagne at Ballarat
Breed your next winner with Woodlands Stud, supporter of Trots Centre
