Will Price could hardly have dreamed of a better first season as a jockey.
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Making the choice to embark on his career in the saddle in Victoria - the most competitive racing environment in Australia - the young South Australian won the state apprentice premiership, outrode his country claim, tasted metropolitan success and was voted by his peers as Racing Victoria's rising star award recipient.
Price was always destined to be jockey.
As a son of leading Adelaide hoop Simon Price, he grew up around horses and there was never going to be a weight issue.
At 20 years of age now, he tips the scales at just 45kg.
The decision to move to Victoria was easy too, once he completed his Year 12 studies.
As well as offering the best development program for apprentice jockeys, it was a no brainer that he join the Ballarat stable of his uncle Dan O'Sullivan, whose wife Mel is a sister of Simon Price.
O'Sullivan describes Price as a natural in the saddle, just as he was with several sports such as golf.
"He has unbelievable balance."
O'Sullivan said Price always prepared himself well, something which was essential now that jockeys were analysed so closely through the media and by the racing public.
Price described his first season in jockey ranks as "full on".
He said as soon as he started he was in demand and it was six days a week, with track work and race meetings.
"It just took off so quickly.
"Offers (for rides) came from everywhere."
Price said he quickly had to learn, with the support of his manager Simon McCartin, to manage his time and in particular travel.
He said he could be tiring a times.
Price said he could not have had better support, especially in difficult times with COVID-19 restrictions meaning he was unable to visit family back in South Australia, being with extended family.
"They've been great."
Price is now embarking on the next phase of his career, which features challenge of getting rides now that he no longer can claim at country meetings.
"The opportunities have dried up a bit, but that's what tends to happen. It just means you have work hard at it and keep your focus.
'You just have to take it as it comes," he said.
And he is well aware how tough it is in the spring for apprentices to get rides at feature metropolitan meetings, even though he can claim 3kg on city programs.
He said he was prepared to be patient and wait for his chances beyond the spring.
