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Former jockey Jackson Matthews will have his first runner on the other side of the fence when he saddles up Pandarus on debut at Murray Bridge on Wednesday.

Jackson Matthews, a nephew of former top jockey Alf Matthews, started his career in Victoria before coming to Adelaide under the guidance of Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas at Morphettville and rode 123 winners during a 10-year riding career.

He had a stint in Macau in 2013 before heading to Queensland, trying his hand over the jumps back in SA before career before stepping away from racing in 2018.

"I'm just happy to have one going to the races,'' Matthews said.

"I got my trainer's licence around Christmas time and have been playing around with a couple,'' he said.

Matthews said the five-year-old son of Nicconi who has been placed in two trials leading into his debut had been a slow burn to finding his way to the races.

"He was actually sacked a two-year-old and then spent some time at a riding school teaching kids how to ride,'' Matthews said.

"He was making some noises, so he had a tie back (throat) operation to try and fix his breathing and spent another year in the paddock.

"A friend of mine said that someone they knew had a horse, all she wanted to see was him get to the races, so I said I'd have a go.

"I can see why he was given up on early, he doesn't show a lot in trackwork. But I have had the heart rate monitor on him the whole way through and decided it was a matter of him not trying or he just had to learn how to put it together.

"Even though he's five, he's still a big baby. He jumped out OK, but his trial at Gawler was a surprise and a little bit out of the blue.

"We're just taking it as it comes, there's no pressure,'' he said.