SEVEN YEARS ago, Michael Caracino was given the birthday treat of a lifetime when his mother bought him a snooker lesson with one of the biggest names in the sport, Peter Ebdon.

It was the perfect present for a 13-year-old lad, who was keen to pick up the cue and make his big break in the game.

However, Ebdon chose the worst possible time to launch an assault on the World Championship, which he went on to win, beating arguably the best player to ever grace the baize, Stephen Hendry, 10-6 in the final at the home of snooker, Sheffield’s Crucible theatre.

Due to the clash in schedules, the lessons were cancelled, and Michael’s introduction to the game was put on hold.

As it happened, it turned out to be the best move of his life.

Michael spent three more years playing occasionally with his friends, until curiosity eventually got the better of him. His promise on the table was evident, and it was enough to prompt his mother to enquire at a local snooker club in Ilford about taking up the game.

Cue Josh Raja, a local coach and snooker enthusiast, and whom Michael now hails as the man ‘who turned my life around’.

The then 16-year-old Trinity Catholic High School pupil joined Raja’s posse of young players, and has enjoyed a remarkable ascent up the rankings, to the extent that he now sits just two tiers off the professional tour.

After receiving a number of calls from Josh, informing me of Michael’s latest triumphs and proclamations that he had unearthed the next Ronnie O’Sullivan, I decided to go along to the coach’s Entertainers Stable in Walthamstow to see just how good this young prodigy was.

After pleasantries were exchanged, I wasted no time in setting Michael a challenge, in the form of a tricky long-range blue. He duly obliged, thundering the ball into the far pocket, with little pause for thought.

“That was a fluke,” was Michael’s response to my awestruck face.

“Do it again, then,” I challenged. And he did, slamming the ball in with even more authority than the previous shot.

Upon our request, Michael then proceeded to build a break. Red followed black, followed red, followed black.

It was clear we had stumbled upon something quite special.

Indeed, Michael revealed that he has a maximum break of 147 to his name in practice, while he has amassed an incredible 120 in competition.

The signs are very promising, and Michael, now 20, can see nothing stopping him as he bids to emulate his idol O’Sullivan by bringing his own brand of flair and flamboyance to the professional tour.

“It’s within me to get there in the next few years, if all goes well,” he said. “The development I’ve made in such a short space of time has been immense. If I keep building and building I can’t see anything stopping me.”

While there are hundreds of aspiring players like Michael competing up and down the country, few can call upon one of snooker’s main tour professionals as an occasional practice partner and an ideal yardstick by which to measure their progress.

Michael has just that at his disposal, as former world number 10 Anthony Hamilton is a regular visitor to the Walthamstow club.

Despite being a relative newcomer to the sport, the apprentice has already managed to beat the master in a best-of-nine frames match.

Such impressive achievements have helped form a bold and fearless approach on the table. And one that Michael is sure will stand him in excellent stead for the future.

“You have to be fearless when you step into the arena,” he stated.

“You have to take the game by the scruff of the neck and you can’t be scared to go for your shots. I’m not worried about failing, I just know that you need to be patient and learn to take the rough with the smooth.”

Michael is also keen to pay tribute to the people around him, that have made his dream become a possibility.

“I’ve had some incredible support from my family and I couldn’t have done it without them,” he insisted. “Josh has been fantastic both on and off the table. It’s taken so much hard work for me to get to where I am, and hopefully I can go all the way.”

The hard graft is clearly paying off – Michael didn’t miss a ball during the entire session. And if he does ever get to meet Ebdon, don’t be surprised if it’s the world champion who will be needing the lessons.

m Michael is on the lookout for sponsorship to help him scale his way up the ladder to the professional tour. Anyone interested should contact Michael on 07817 610530.

Josh Raja’s Entertainers Stable welcomes all snooker players of any age and ability. Anyone interested should call Josh on 078665 29797.