A hungry Glyn Schofield took his first steps back towards race riding on Friday morning and says that he doesn't plan to hang up the boots anytime soon.

"Of course, it's crossed my mind, older sportsmen are not that much in demand anymore, but I've got a lot of experience, I still think I've got a lot to give the industry," Schofield said.

"Obviously, you get the big races and that's where you want a cool head and a bit of experience as well, so I think I can offer that.

"Since I've been in Australia, I've had a bit of success along the way, I'd like to try and build on that, I don't think I'm finished just yet.

"I've got the hunger going through my body, I still want to be competitive, so whilst I've still got that and I'm healthy, I'll give it a crack."

Schofield has won big races in his native South Africa, as well as in Mauritius, Hong Kong, Singapore and here in Australia.

While he's perhaps best known in this part of the world for his association with super sprinter Hay List, who he won the Manikato Stakes and Newmarket Handicap on, he's also guided the likes of Boban, Japonisme and Alizee to Group 1 glory.

Schofield was back in the saddle at trackwork at Rosehill.

"First time I've been on a horse since December last year, so I was really looking forward to that and it was nice to get back on the horses and it will be nice to get back into the racing when I get a bit of fitness," he said.

It's one of the longest absences that the veteran jockey has ever had in his career.

"I had some nerve issues stemming from my neck, that would radiate down my arm and my shoulder, so that seems to be fixed through an operation that I had earlier this year," he explained.

Schofield hasn't got a set date penciled in for when he'll be back at the races and doesn't want to rush the process.

"I've been out eight months now, I want to obviously take it by ear, I'll know when I'm fit enough, I'll start taking some trials and jumpouts, do a lot more work once I get my fitness up a little bit further forward than I am now, I'd say about a month, maybe six weeks most, I'd say, but I'll let my body tell me when I'm ready," he said. 

Racing.com