Former Melbourne apprentice Jarrod Fry is excited about the challenge of cementing his place in Brisbane's riding ranks over the coming months.Fry, 22, rode more than 240 winners in Victoria before deciding to try his luck in Brisbane where he is now on a three-month loan with Eagle Farm trainer David Murphy.After starting his career with Ballarat trainer Darren Weir, Fry later moved to Caulfield trainer John Moloney to try his luck in Melbourne for six months."I was born in Melbourne but I was

Former Melbourne apprentice Jarrod Fry is excited about the challenge of cementing his place in Brisbane's riding ranks over the coming months.

Fry, 22, rode more than 240 winners in Victoria before deciding to try his luck in Brisbane where he is now on a three-month loan with Eagle Farm trainer David Murphy.

After starting his career with Ballarat trainer Darren Weir, Fry later moved to Caulfield trainer John Moloney to try his luck in Melbourne for six months.

"I was born in Melbourne but I was a late starter when I got my licence so I went to learn off Darren Weir in Ballarat," Fry said.

"I didn't know how to ride in those days but Darren taught me everything.

"I ended up staying with Darren for about four years but when I started getting a few rides for Peter Moody I decided to have a go in the city and moved to John Moloney at Caulfield.

"Unfortunately, Peter found himself an apprentice and I never got many rides after that."

Fry's biggest career win was aboard the Weir-trained Keep Control in the Listed Hill Smith Stakes at Morphettville in Adelaide in 2009.

Fry's decision to move to Brisbane came after he received a phone call from Larry Cassidy's racing manager Rob Tweedie.

"Rob rang me up one day and said there was a a shortage of apprentices who can claim in Queensland and suggested I give it a go here," Fry said.

"It's coming up to the spring carnival back home and it's very hard for apprentices to get rides in the city so I thought why not."

Fry broke through for his first city winner in Brisbane aboard the Murphy-trained Hangover Henry at Eagle Farm on July 13.

"Unfortunately, I was suspended for careless riding not long after that and I only return tomorrow," Fry said.

"It's a challenge riding here. The people are all new but if I work hard and prove myself then hopefully things might work out."

From limited opportunities, Fry's riding skills didn't take long to be noticed by Gold Coast trainer Bruce Hill who won this month's Grafton Cup with Warrior Within.

Hill has booked Fry to ride spring hopeful Startsmeup in the Ownit Homes Handicap (1200m) at Doomben on Saturday.

Startsmeup produced an eye-catching performance to finish second to Excellantes in his comeback over 1110 metres at Doomben on July 16.

"It was too short for him and if he runs well again on Saturday then I'll send him to Sydney for one or two races," Hill said.

"Sydney is just a stepping stone to Melbourne where there's some nice mile (1600m) races like the (Group One) Toorak Handicap if he measures up."