Talented Victorian rider Mitch Aitken will make Adelaide home in the New Year as he tries to re-ignite his riding career.
Aitken will leave family in friends and base himself in South Australia from January 1 where he hopes he can break his way into the Adelaide riding ranks.
“A new year, a new me,’’ Aitken said.
“Limited opportunities (here), it’s been a rough four years for me. There’s plenty of opportunities over there and some great trainers willing to give me a chance.
“You have to go where the money is and where you're going to ride winners,’’ he said.
Aitken, like many has watched Jessica Eaton star in the saddle since coming to SA this season, and said a fresh start and more opportunities were the catalyst for the big move.
“It’s been on my mind for 12 months to two years now to make a change,’’ Aitken added.
“I just haven’t stuck to guns and done it.
“Now I have made the decision. It’s a big move, but it (being a jockey) is only a small portion of your lifetime, so you have go to make the most of it while you can,’’ he said.
Aitken said he had already been in contact with a number of leading Adelaide trainers ahead of the move.
“I’ve spoken to Gordon Richards and a couple of trainers over there and they are willing to give me a go," Aitken said.
“I’ve changed my whole mindset, it’s going to be all about knuckling down, working hard and doing the right things.
“Hopefully in a couple of months we start seeing he results and better opportunities,’’ he said.
Aikten, 23, who’s father Ron was a rider, has ridden 148 winners since making his debut in 2015 but said the last couple of years had been a challenge.
“I’ve struggled with my weight a little bit the last couple of years,’’ Aitken said.
“I got to the point I was struggling to ride under 57kg, but I’m hoping to have the weight and the mindset in order and be ready to hit the ground running and riding at 54kg when I get there,’’ he said.