ADRIAN COLLINS set his sights on being a jockey when he was in his early teens and at one stage he looked set to secure an apprenticeship with prominent Tasmanian trainer Gary White.
But a growing spurt between the ages of 15-16 led to him having to abandon his dream of one day matching it with the likes of Brendon McCoull and Stephen Maskiell.
Not content with a life without horses he became an ace stablehand and keen trackwork rider for a number of trainers at Brighton.
After a few years away from the game he became friends with harness trainer Justin Campbell and that led to him working for him at his stables at Plenty.
It was while working with Campbell that he became keen to pursue a career as a part-time driver.
Six months ago he secured his driver’s licence and last Sunday night he captured his second win when he guided the Ben Yole-trained Topwestern to victory over the heavily backed odds-on favourite Put Your Lights On.
Topwestern also gave Collins his first winner in Launceston at the end of May.
“Both of my wins have been aboard Topwestern so it’s fair to say he is pretty much my favourite horse at the moment,” Collins said.
Listen to what driver Adrian Collins had to say about his latest win and how he became involved in the industry – click here.