Starting as an apprentice jockey as a 15-year-old, 29 years later the man nicknamed 'King Billy' said it is just too hard for trainers to make a profit from racing.

Having extreme difficulty in finding trackwork jockeys was another major reason Aspros decided to retire from training. It's not a decision he wanted to make, more one he had too.

"That's racing," Aspros said.

"It's one of those things ... no kids want to be involved, there's no interest in racing. Lack of trackwork riders and lack of horses to train was the main problem.''

Bathurst is more of a trotting (harness racing) town than a racing one.

"But I've had a great career, I rode against some of the best jockeys in Australia. (To retire) is a kick in the guts, but that's the way it is."

Aspros won Group 1 races in Sydney as part of his decorated career as a jockey which took him all over the country. He retired in 1998 on doctor's orders with head and neck injuries after two serious falls.

The first was at Orange in February 1996, with the second at Bathurst in trackwork. Aspros admitted after almost 30 years in the sport, just being a spectator won't be easy.

"It's hit pretty hard, this is something I've been involved with all my life," Aspros said.

"I love racing and I've always been a racing person, if I ever get the chance to get back into it (training) I certainly would. But country racing is suffering badly at the moment ... there is a lack of prizemoney and a lack of everything.

"Prize money is the same as when I was riding ... when all the costs go up, how are you supposed to entice people into the game? Sydney is great, but not in the bush."

Aspros said he will continue to work at the Railway Hotel at night but the hard worker is looking for any day work. However, he will focus on his two runners today, Fairy Penguin and Wish For A Blaze.

It was easy for Aspros to pin-point what he will miss most.

"People, horses," Aspros said.

"Putting your horse out and thinking it could win is a highlight, winning races is special, as a jockey or trainer it's the proudest thing you can too.

And after the meeting, there will be quick ale before pouring plenty of them.

"I'll be having a few quiet beers with anyone who wants to have a drink with me," Aspros said.

"But I've got to work at the pub that night ... I can't stay put for long."

Three-year-old filly Fairy Penguin's last start was second at Parkes on a dead track on June 11 so the wet gives some her chance from barrier eight.

She will carry 57 kilograms as the top-weight but apprentice jockey Michael Hackett will give her every chance in the sixth, the 1100m Knickerbocker Hotel Class 1 Handicap ($7000).

"Hopefully she'll go out a winner for me," Aspros said.

"I'd be very proud to get a winner to finish off, It would be great to win for [Greg] Cracker Miles, hopefully we can win a race together."

Four-year-old mare Wish For A Blaze's draw is tough (barrier 18). Aspros said she will need plenty of luck in the seventh, the Bathurst Vintage Joyflights Class 2 Handicap (1400m).

One hopes on this day of days for ‘King Billy', he gets all the luck he needs.