Apprentice Jake Noonan will ride at Seymour tomorrow

Apprentice jockey Jake Noonanis beginning to find his feet in the world of racing once again after spending the past six months on the sidelines due to a race fall he suffered during the autumn.

“It was a bit of a painful six months on the sideline so it did take its toll a little,” Noonan said.

“But the first day back was pretty exciting.

“It was just great to be back in the rooms amongst it all feeling part of the group again.

“Just to be… back in the saddle again race day.

“The winners come as a bonus at the moment and I’m just trying to enjoy it and soak it all up.”

Noonan’s comeback was halted when he was suspended twice in Sydney after pleading guilty to careless riding.

“The first two weeks was good, but I got suspended up in Sydney twice, it was a bit rough,” he said.

“So that’s put me out for a week and a half so I resume tomorrow.”

The young jockey, who is the son of prominent Victorian trainer Tony Noonan, struggled with the task of spending so long on the sidelines.

“With my injury you’re not given a timeline from the start… so it’s hard to prepare yourself,” Noonan said.

“I was on and off working hard.

“I did a lot of gym work and riding work for not only Dad but a lot of trainers throughout Victoria.”

Noonan felt the psychological strain of his injuries more than the physical pain.

“It’s pretty hard mentally more than physically,” he said.

“At the time mentally it was hard to cope through.

“It brings you down.

“All of the sudden you’ve gone from riding horses every day to being taken away from it for six months.”

Noonan was helped through by his supportive family and Racing Victoria.

“The whole industry was great,” the jockey said.

“We had good support through Racing Victoria.

“At the end of the day I was always told I was going to be back.”

Noonan will ride at Seymour tomorrow before tackling Moonee Valley with a solid book of rides on Saturday.