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
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