Comeback apprentice Patrick Keane celebrated his most successful day at the races in Queensland when he rode three winners at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday.

Keane, 19, is back riding winners after “slipping off the rails” during his initial riding career in Victoria.

The now Gold Coast based hoop is the first to admit he’s had his share of problems – but things are looking up for the talented rider.

“I’ve been up here in Queensland for a while now and have been riding for about five months.”

“I rode four winners from four rides at Stony Creek back in Victoria a while back – but this is the most winners I’ve ridden at a meeting in Queensland.”

Keane, apprenticed at highly regarded Bundall based horsewoman Kelly Doughty, has been riding in good form during recent weeks in south east Queensland.

In that time he’s notched up many winning meetings – a few doubles and a couple of jockey challenges.

Keane himself is just relieved he’s back doing what he loves most – riding racehorses and most importantly winning.

“I’ve certainly had my ups and downs,” Keane said.”I went off the rails – was hanging around the wrong people and became quite disillusioned.”

“I’m just thankful I’ve been given another chance.”

“My dad (part time Victorian trainer John) has to take plenty of credit for getting me back to where I am now.”

“He helped me realise what I’d done wrong and what I had to do to get back to where I wanted to be.”

“And then Kelly and Gary (Doughty) – they were the only ones who were prepared to take me on up here – I have a lot to thank them for.”

In his five months at the Gold Coast, Keane has made his mark with 30 winners – a figure that will surely grow over the coming weeks and months.

“Things are going really well and I’m riding with a good deal of confidence.”

“My 30 winners have come for a large number of different stables and that is a good thing.”

In the short term Keane has plenty to look forward to.

He is due to partner Saturday’s Brisbane winner Tierqualo when it races next on Saturday week for the Doughty stable.

And he looks set to be trusted with the ongoing ride of one of his winners on Sunday, Warrior Girl.

“I’ve had two rides on her for two wins and I’ve been told I will have the ride on her when she comes back after a break for the Magic Millions carnival.”

Warrior Girl’s trainer Kelly Purdy is hoping to make Magic Millions history next January when she saddles up her charge in the Magic Millions Sprint.

Last year when Purdy was still a jockey, Warrior Girl with Purdy up steamed home to win the Sprint at massive odds.

Now she is hoping to win the race with the same horse – this time as the trainer.

Warrior Girl, a $30,000 graduate of the 2008 Magic Millions National Horses in Training Sale, was one of three winners for Keane at the Sunshine Coast.

Another was the $2,000 Magic Millions August Monthly Sale bargain buy Scar Tissue – owned and trained by Malcolm Reynolds.

“I’m based on the Gold Coast – just a stone’s throw from the Magic Millions complex and it’s nice to be winning plenty of races on horses sold there.”

“If I win a race on Magic Millions day – well that would be a dream come true,” Keane summed up.

Keep an eye on this lad – Keane by name. Keen by nature.

PICS – Dan Costello.