Junior driver Rory McIlwrick is fast getting accustomed to the bracing sea air at Westwood Beach.
McIlwrick (23) has been based in Otago for the last three to four weeks after he opted for a change of scenery following two and a-half years working for Ryal Bush trainer Nathan Williamson.
''I came up to drive a few at the workouts for Graeme [Anderson] just for a boys' race and I haven't gone home other than to pick some gear up,'' he said.
''It's going pretty good and I'm getting some good opportunities so it's working out good.''
McIlwrick thrived under Williamson's mentoring during his extended spell with Southland's leading trainer, hitting double-figure win tallies during the past two seasons.
''Nathan's sort of like a brother to me - it was really hard to leave there. With everything he's ever taught me, he's probably the biggest influence in racing and probably in life so far, really.
''We still get on really good.''
McIlwrick already has two wins on the board this season, tracking ahead of last year's 25-win season in which it took until October 11 for the first victory.
''It feels like it's a better start to the season than I've had before. If I'm somewhere around the same amount or better [by the end of the season], I'll be happy enough.''
McIlwrick has 50 wins to his name, so this season could be his last in the junior driver ranks if he reaches 75 lifetime wins by July 31 next year.
Williamson's operation at Ryal Bush was largely track-based training along with use of a bungee swimming pool, but McIlwrick is enjoying the open spaces of Westwood Beach and the changing working hours depending on the tides.
''I quite enjoy it. It's all go when you're working them but there's a bit more free time,'' he said.
''You've got to get in and do it and then there's not so much more to do after that because you're ruled by the beach. It forces you to have a certain amount of staff to get everything worked within the time period that you've got to work them on the beach.''
McIlwrick is mainly assisting Amber Hoffman, although he chips in with Anderson when required.
''They've been good to me - Amber's starting to give me more and more drives and Graeme's giving me a good opportunity on his ones.''
McIlwrick is even working towards joining Hoffman in riding some of her pacers and trotters.
''I've ridden the odd pony - I hope to ride a few more. They've got a few there for me just to start riding and probably learn to ride a wee bit,'' he said.
''It's more for my fitness . . . it's a pretty good workout. I wouldn't mind starting to ride the odd one. I'm hassling Amber a bit about that. It will be something different.''
Waimate junior driver and trainer Josh Kennett has replaced McIlwrick at Williamson's training establishment.
