The mechanical horse is the ultimate pre-race tool. The mechanical horse is the ultimate pre-race tool. Images: Jeff Crow / Sport the Library

CROSS TRAINING

“When you’re fit, you’re fit. After that, it’s about keeping my body flexible, keeping my core really strong – it’s most important that I feel comfortable getting down on top of my horses.

“I love cycling – I find it really good. Lance Armstrong is one of my role models. When I was in Hong Kong I would go the hills over there on my mountain bike – I’d love it. I brought it back from Hong Kong and still ride. And I love hiking – it’s one of my passions. Even when I go on holidays I love to be able to walk up mountains.”

PERFECT PREPARATION

“The day before the races I sit down on a computer and spend four to five hours studying my opposition for the next day. That’s pretty demanding mentally, so my wife tells me I have to have a sleep, and she’s the boss. The more I read up about the importance of sleep the more convinced I am. Through experience I’ve felt that

if you don’t sleep, your body gets worn out. Recovery is one of the most important parts of competing day in and day out.”

ROLFING

“During the Spring Carnival I fly a bloke out from Hong Kong – he does a form of massage called rolfing. Brilliant. I say it’s brilliant: it works for me. I’ve had a lot of injuries in the past and I’ve had cramps and I couldn’t feel my feet after riding sometimes. He had one look at me and he could tell me all about my body. From then on I’ve been a believer in rolfing.

“I also use a gentleman in Sydney who’s very good, and I’ve got a couple of others I go to in Melbourne, but I’ve just found that this gentleman in Hong Kong, Steve Bremner, he just knows my body really well. He started turning me inside out and I’ve found my body’s never more supple and strong at the same time.

“He’s actually Canadian. If I’m ever going through Hong Kong or competing, I always make sure we catch up, as well as some other time in the year. But he can tell me where I’m at with my body. Some people like acupuncture, some people like chiropractors. For me, it’s a question of confidence in a person. And he helps me out in the most important time of our year.

“Rolfing actually teaches your body to go in the right direction, to be central and centred. I don’t even really have to see him every week or every month. The time that I see him puts my body on the right path to when I see him next.”

 SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTIONS

“I take Spirolina and I’m always conscious of colds and flus, so I always hit myself very hard with vitamin C if I feel something coming on. But basically I live on vegetables and fruit.“On race day I take a banana and Mars Bar and I take V and a sports drink, which is always Powerade. I start the day off with a banana and either water or Powerade. If I feel I need a pickup later, and depending on how long my races are, I’ll go for a Mars Bar and a V to make me alert. Out of all the drinks that give you a big kick, V is the only one that doesn’t dry me out. I find that very important for performing at the races.

“Once you weigh out you must come back in at the same weight. So your intake has to benefit your racing – a sandwich I find is completely pointless, but if it works for someone else, fine. I’ve never drunk Coke during the day, which works for Lleyton Hewitt. Everyone’s different.

“We’re allowed to rinse our mouths with water before a race, but I’ll never swallow. In extreme circumstances, when I have to ride a really light weight, I’ll bring watermelon and that will be my fluid supplement for the day.”