AN EMOTIONAL John Kissick enjoyed his first winner since his return to the saddle at Albury on Monday.
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Kissick completed his remarkable comeback with victory at his sixth ride back, guiding Waiting For A Mate ($5.00) home in the Drake International Benchmark 66 Handicap (1400m).
It was Kissick's first win since October 2016, shortly before a steer-riding accident brought his riding career to a crashing halt.
A broken back took Kissick more than three and a half years to recover fully from, making a comeback at Wagga last week.
It did not take the three-time Southern District-premiership winning hoop long to return to the winner's list, enjoying success on his first ride at his second meeting back.
Kissick admits it was an emotional moment as he crossed the line a winner.
"Yeah definitely. Once I got my breath back coming back. It's been a long road," Kissick said
"It's definitely emotional. It's been a long time, a bloody long time. I didn't think I'd ever get back sometimes."
Kissick was pleased to do it for Albury trainer Norm Loy, who has been one of his biggest supporters through the comeback.
"It was good to get the monkey off the back and good to do it for Norm too, he's helping me out," he said.
"I'm living at his place at the moment. I live at Wangaratta usually but I've got to stay over the border due to the restrictions so he's helped me out."
Kissick hopes it is the first winner of many. He has no doubt the early success will help him reestablish himself in the region.
"It was really good. Good to get the monkey off the back. I said to (my partner) Ellie on the way there that I'll have a bit more confidence once I get that first winner back," he said.
"Wagga on Saturday is next. Hopefully I can get a flow on and work towards getting as many as I can.
"I've set a goal to win the (SDRA) premiership next year. That's my goal and I'm just going to work hard at that. I'm working hard, and going to Canberra on Wednesdays is going to help so we'll see how we go."
As for celebrations, Kissick's determination to return to his best is evident in his plans.
"I might have one beer, or two beers, tonight," he said.
"I'm not having much, I've just got to get the weight off. I did it hard to ride today so I don't want to be doing it hard again on Saturday."
Waiting For A Mate's win was the first leg of a winning double for Norm Loy.
He combined with his son Brodie for success later with Falling Waters ($3.90) in the Star Hotel F&M Benchmark 58 Handicap (1175m).
The win of the day belonged to Front Page ($2.20) in the Baxter Concrete C,G&E Benchmark 58 Handicap (1175m). The full brother to News Girl enjoyed his second win at start number four by a whopping nine and a half lengths.
Ganmain owners Howard Martin and Nadine, Barry and Pat Logan enjoyed success with Donna Scott-trained Pure Phylis ($8.00) in the Johnsons MME Class One Handicap (1000m).
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