Jay Waterhouse has hailed returning jockey Adam Hieronymus as one of the best jockeys in the country, saying he “can beat on a broomstick” as the pair prepare for their Magic Millions 2YO Classic raid with Storm Boy on the Gold Coast on Saturday.
The popular jockey was sacked for 28 months in September 2020 for betting-related offences, where he worked as a laborer in Sydney, but has received unwavering support from racing's first lady since his return last year.
Hyeronimus landed his second maiden group and first since returning to Waterhouse aboard Tropical Squall in the spring and was in the saddle for Storm Boy's Magic Millions show.
Staring down the challenging barrier barrel of No. 10, Waterhouse, who trains in partnership with Adrian Bott, said there was no one else she would rather have at the $2.30 favourite.
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“You can put him on anything right now and he'll win, and he'll win on a broomstick the way he rides,” Waterhouse said.
“It's going great.
“He is a very strong rider, he is young, energetic and has a tremendous determination to come back from what he has been through.
“He's got a lot of talent and it's really shining right now.
“I really think he's very talented, and I'm very happy for him.”
Hyeronimus made a quick visit to Brisbane to ride Storm Boy to victory in the Group 3 BJ McLachlan (1200m) three weeks ago and could claim his biggest prize in racing if he wins the $3 million Waterhouse and Bott 2YO Classic.
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Before his return last year, Hieronymus praised the loyalty of the friends around him during his time off and said working as a laborer had given him a welcome break from racing.
After weighing in at 74kg while sidelined, Waterhouse and Hieronymus kept in touch and she eventually gave him his first ride in a midweek meeting at Ipswich.
He later revealed that he believed he would never return to racing.
Storm Boy has been a long-time favorite for the Magic Millions 2YO Classic and has been in Queensland since mid-December.
Originally published as Jay Waterhouse praises Magic Millions comeback jockey Adam Hieronymus: 'He'll win on a broomstick'
