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By Ray Hickson

It didn’t take Chad Schofield long to find his stride in Hong Kong and as he makes his return to the Sydney riding ranks on Thursday the 27-year-old hopes he can again "hit the ground running".

Jockey Chad Schofield (Pic: Grant Guy).

A decade ago Schofield was Sydney’s champion apprentice (2011/12) and as he steps back into the most powerful group of jockeys in the land he realises starting all over again is a challenge – but one he’s up for.

Schofield last rode in Hong Kong on December 5 so he “blew out the cobwebs” at Tuesday’s Canterbury trials and is set to take two rides at Gosford on Thursday before his metropolitan return on Boxing Day at Randwick.

“Because I’ve been away for so long it’s pretty much starting from the bottom again and that’s something I had to deal with in Hong Kong,’’ he said.

“I’d always planned to ride when I felt ready to go, and after a little freshen up my manager and I thought it was better if I just got stuck into it. I can’t wait to get going.

“It’s full of quality the jockey’s room, I’m well aware of that.

“To be able to hit the ground running would help a lot. I’m confident in my ability and I’m looking forward to proving that I can do well here in Sydney.”

It’s easy to forget that Schofield, who has retained more than a hint of his South African accent, left Australia with four Group 1 wins to name.

They are the 2013 Cox Plate (Shamus Award), 2014 Newmarket Handicap (Lankan Rupee), ATC Champagne Stakes (Go Indy Go) and Queensland Derby (Sonntag).

He backed up his Sydney apprentice title by winning the Melbourne crown in 2012/13.

After almost seven seasons in Hong Kong and over 200 winners, with his biggest success there coming in the 2018 HK$10m Classic Cup on Singapore Sling, it was the impending arrival of his and wife Hannah’s first child that prompted a return to Australia.

“I never dreamed of staying as long as I did in the end. It was a great experience but I’m now ready for the next stage of my career,’’ he said.

“It’s all a bit of a whirlwind at the moment but we can’t wait for the day we are fully settled in Sydney again and hopefully it’s not too far away.

“I’ll ride as much work as I can for whoever is willing to put me on, just feel my way and ease back into it.

“I know it’s not going to be easy and it will take a lot of hard work but I’m looking forward to it and to being able to prove myself in Sydney.”

Chad Schofield rides Refined Treasure to victory in Hong Kong (Pic: Grant Guy)

Just like his father Glyn achieved when he rode in Hong Kong, Chad recorded a winner at his first race meeting and backed it up with another at his second.

He’ll only get two chances to emulate his Hong Kong first day success at Gosford as he partners Dijon for Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou in the Aubrey Brown Lawyers Handicap (1000m) and Destiny’s Bounty for John O’Shea in the Sidcon Plate (1200m).

Somewhat appropriately for a jockey making a fresh start, both are first starters.

Schofield rode four horses for O’Shea at the Canterbury trials, winning three of them, and said he’s liked what he’s seen from Destiny’s Bounty in replays.

“Watching the trials it looks like the horse is slightly above average and hopefully he can run a good race for me,’’ he said.

All the fields, form and replays for Thursday's Gosford meeting