Ryan Maloney to start fresh in Queensland

Victorian jockey Ryan Maloney is making a fresh start in Ql, linking with trainer Toby Edmonds.

Victorian jockey Ryan Maloney is to make a fresh start in Queensland as a stable rider for Toby Edmonds.

Maloney has been serving a four-month ban for testing positive to a banned stimulant but is back riding trackwork and trials ahead of his return on August 1.

He has moved the Gold Coast where he rode seven Edmonds-trained horses in Tuesday’s barrier trials.

Maloney first rode for Edmonds when he steered Eptimum to win the Group Three Red Anchor Stakes at Moonee Valley last spring.

“Toby offered me an olive branch which was an opportunity too good to refuse,” Maloney told Racing Queensland.

“He is a great trainer and a good bloke with a great team of horses and staff. It’s a lethal combination whenever you put those together.”

Maloney said he was looking forward to the challenge and expects to strip several kilos from his 60kg frame by the time he is back riding in races.

“I’m at 60kg now and I have a month and a half left, as long as I stay off the carbs I will be fine,” he said.

“Obviously anywhere you go is never easy and you have some very good trainers and jockeys up here so I am 100 per cent focused on the job ahead.”

Edmonds, who is second on the metropolitan premiership, has forged a formidable partnership with Queensland’s leading jockey Jeff Lloyd over the past few seasons.

Lloyd has announced his intention to retire at the end of the season when he will claim his third Brisbane premiership.