Simply returning to race riding for the first time since 2013 won't be enough for Tasmanian jockey Jason Maskiell.
A quiet meeting at the Devonport Synthetic track on Sunday will herald a major step in Maskiell's transformation from the ravages of drug addiction, which derailed an exciting career in Melbourne a few seasons back.
"I'm actually pretty pumped to be going out there again. I don't just want to ride again – I want to win," Maskiell said.
Multiple suspensions for failed drug tests weren't enough of a wake-up call for the rider, whose talent has never been disputed by leading trainers on both sides of Bass Strait.
Maskiell says it was two beltings in a day that finally marked the low point in his downward spiral.
"It was that moment that I got bashed a couple of times in one day and it was over something that had nothing to do with me but it was the type of thing that would only happen to people on drugs," Maskiell said.
"To this day, I haven't touched them since and it has been 169 days clean so everything is really positive."
Maskiell's easy-going nature led him down the wrong path but it also proved to be the jockey's saviour with plenty of offers of help coming his way, which provided a base for his recovery.
The jockey started working in a pub, giving him the focus he needed to reassess his life and decide to make a comeback to racing.
Maskiell got himself together, started riding in trials and did everything required to get his licence back for the start of the Tasmanian season on Sunday.
But Maskiell didn't always think he would make it back to racing.
"I used to write all the time, just little notes to myself because I want to do a book or something like that," Maskiell said.
"There was one point, about six or seven months ago, when I said, 'I'm beat. The drugs have got me'.
"And to look at it like that and looking at now, back riding on Sunday, it's been a massive thing."
Maskiell has five rides at Devonport on Sunday, which he views as five chances to get started on rebuilding a career that produced more than 200 winners between 2008 and 2010.
"My job is to get winners and I need to do that on Sunday to get the rides," Maskiell said.
"I hate to get beaten and I've got come back and kick a few goals.
"I know how much the owners pay a day and I know how much they put their heart and soul into racing like the trainers I ride for.
"To get them a result for the amount of money they put into it, it would be very rewarding."
Paul Luttrell has provided Maskiell with his first ride back aboard Victory Medal in the RJ Publishing & Designs Maiden (1350m) while Maskiell has two rides for the John Blacker stable.
