A STRICT regime of diet and exercise has set up former Singleton jockey Aaron Bullock for his best season yet.
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He is currently dominating both the Australian and NSW riding ranks, with 34 winners and a chance to bolster that total at Friday's Tuncurry meeting and Coffs Harbour on Sunday.
Bullock then heads to Muswellbrook's TAB race day on Monday with a strong book of six rides, hoping to go one better than his last appearance on the track when he bagged a winning treble.
"I've never ridden four winners before," he said.
"I've come close a few times, but it would be good to finally do it."
With five trebles in less than three weeks you get the feeling it won't be long until the 28-year-old ticks that box.
And, it's his dedication to a regime that sees him hitting the road for 20km a day on non-race days that has him primed for a record-breaking season.
"I've got my weight down to 56kg and with exercise and eating the right foods, I'm maintaining it," he said.
"Over the years I've learnt a lot about what works and what doesn't weight-wise and I know for me I have to be strict.
"I walk 10km of a morning and jog another 10km of an afternoon when I'm not riding.
"That way I can stay at the ideal weight for me to ride at my best."
Bullock is a good chance of reappearing in the winner's circle at Muswellbrook, with several favoured runners.
He teams with Kris Lees riding Mr Piquet in the Two Rivers Class 1 over 1300m and is confident the Street Boss gelding can make it back-to-back wins.
"It was a good victory at Kempsey first up and I expect him to race well again at Muswellbrook," Bullock said.
"He will be spot on for the 1300m.
"He got shuffled back a bit last start, but I bided my time and he let down really good.
"He did try to pull up when he hit the front but will have taken a fair bit away from that win."
The formidable Bullock-Lees combination comes together again with Bombasay in the 1300m Great Northern Super Crisp Lager Maiden.
The four-year-old by Rothesay is resuming, having been placed third at his only start at Tamworth in April.
"I haven't ridden him, but his trials have been good, particularly the last one at Gosford that he won over 1000m," he said.
"Kris will have him primed for a good first up performance and I'm sure he will be one of the main chances."
Bullock rides Roy's Command for his former boss Todd Howlett in the 1770m Saxon Warrior New For 2019@Coolmore Benchmark 68 - and gives the Commands gelding a winning chance.
"I've never been on him before but he's up in distance which will really suit him," he said.
"He's been in stronger races and I think by putting him closer in the run he should go well."
He also considers the Jenny Graham-trained I'm Fluent another that could go close to the money.
The I Am Invincible mare finished second at Kempsey with Bullock in the saddle, but he believes there were excuses.
"She had a lovely run early but got flushed out on the corner and lost a length or two," he added.
"The winner got all the favours that day, but I think on the bigger track, despite the wide draw, she will be knocking on the door for a win."
Rounding off Bullock's book of rides is Vermont for the Brett Cavanough stable in the Mt Arthur Coal 4YO & Up Maiden over 900m and the Paul Perry-trained Nothing Too Hard in the 1450m Horsepower Class 3.
"I haven't ridden either of them, but they are from top stables, so they would be well-prepared and well-placed," he said.