By Mark Brassel
Racing NSW often fields inquiries as to the whereabouts of certain jockeys currently sidelined due to injury. Following are the latest updates available:-
MARK LISTER - Mark was dislodged when riding favourite Brigante at Kembla Grange on Melbourne Cup Day. Mark smashed his leg in three places and the doctors told him he could be out for between six to 12 months.
"I will be having another operation on my leg next week," Mark said today [Thursday 2nd September]. "This has put me back a bit as the screws have to be taken out. But it looks like the leg has healed OK and I am hopeful of being back riding trackwork in around a month's time."
PATRICK FERRIS - was involved in a race fall at Muswellbrook on Monday 28th June.
Maurice Logue, Racing NSW Jockey Safety Officer, said this morning [Saturday 28th August]: "I visited Patrick at home this morning. Pat has astounded doctors with his recovery, however, it is now expected he may not be able to ride again.
"The new Racing NSW/TAFE Western Sydney Institute will soon begin re-skilling Patrick for a new career outside of race riding."
ALLAN ROBINSON - Was involved in the same fall as Scott Thurlow at Cessnock on Tuesday 6th July when riding Pocket Change and was taken to hospital after losing consciousness following the fall.
"Allan Robinson is no closer to returning to the saddle and on Friday [21 August] had yet another X-ray on one of his upper limbs. The Newcastle prankster, who has been sidelined since a fall at Cessnock on July 6, continues to suffer shocking headaches and pain through his neck. An MRI scan also revealed he had blood trapped around his brain." - Christian Nicolussi (Sunday Telegraph)
AARON HUKE - "Aaron has fully recovered from the injuries he sustained in a race fall at Mudgee back in January. Aaron is back to full riding and trackwork and can be booked for raceday rides and trials by contacting me on 0438 899 971," - Manuel Samper, Jockey Agent
SCOTT THURLOW - Was involved in a two-horse fall at Cessnock on Tuesday 6th July when riding Assonance.
John Hackney reported the following: "I spoke to Scott and he has a couple of broken ribs and a cracked sternum. It will be a while before he's back riding."
TIM PHILLIPS - "Tim was thrown from a horse in the mounting yard at Leeton in May and broke his heel. Tim is aiming to be back riding in November on Melbourne Cup Day." - Dean Walsh (Riders' Agent)
ALISON THREADWELL (Newcastle-based apprentice) - was badly hurt after being involved in a race fall near the 800-metre mark at Scone on Tuesday 13th July.
Alison was one of four riders to come down in the Time Thief Maiden Handicap along with two other apprentices, Jodie Riley and Clare Pettigrew and senior rider Jeff Penza.
Maurice Logue, Racing NSW Jockey Safety Officer, said this morning [Tuesday 20th July]: "Doctors expect to discharge Alison from hospital some time this week."
LAURI WRAY (Wagga-based apprentice) - will resume race riding at Gundagai's TAB meeting on August 1. Wray has been out of action with a broken collarbone, but has been riding trackwork for a couple of months.
Lauri was the leading female apprentice jockey in this season's Rising Star Series and has had her indentures transferred to Goulburn trainer Ken Callaughan. The apprentice has ridden 35 winners and claims 2kg.
JODIE RILEY (Scone-based apprentice) - was involved in the same race fall as Alison at Scone yesterday [Tuesday 13 July].
Jodie has suffered a fractured collarbone, a deep laceration under her ear and an injured eye socket. - Geoff Wilson (Newcastle Herald)
TONY MARNEY - was involved in an accident at the Goulburn races on 22 November last year: "As I was riding the horse out of the enclosure to go to the barriers I was dislodged and he double-barrelled and kicked me below the knee of the left leg.
"It caused a fracture of the left leg and quite a severe one. I'm now at the stage of rehabilitation every day at physio and going to the gym to get the strength back.
"I started to ride a pony this week at Warwick Farm and I am pleased with the results. I'm seeing the rehab physio and my doctor within the next few weeks and hope things will go well - I hope to be back at the track sometime next month [August]."
KERRIN McEVOY - Kerrin has a fracture of the spine, is confined to a body and neck brace for at least three months, and is unlikely to ride again this year - but he counts himself as fortunate.
The champion jockey was speaking for the first time [2 July] since a horror fall at Gosford on 23 June but was unconcerned about his plight, instead he was more worried for fellow rider, Patrick Ferris.
"I'm lucky, my injuries could have been a lot worse," McEvoy said. "I keep thinking about Patrick and hoping he will be OK. We are all praying for him to pull through."
McEvoy, stable rider for Peter Snowden's Darley Crown Lodge, was injured when his mount Skytrain clipped heels and fell during the Takeover Target Stakes won by Border Rebel. As he lay prone on the track, the jockey revealed he was conscious throughout the incident, albeit a little dazed.
"Just after the fall, I remember seeing [Darley stable manager] Brad Widdup coming up the straight towards me so I tried sitting up," McEvoy recalled. "Then when the ambulance officers arrived, I complained of soreness in the back and neck, and I was short of breath. They told me to lay back down immediately and I knew then it might be serious."
McEvoy was later found to have fractured the T6 vertebra in his spine but remains hopeful his injury heals over the next three months, thus preventing surgery which would extend his period out of the saddle.
After being released from hospital, McEvoy admitted it has taken him a while to adjust to wearing the brace/cast which restricts upper body movement: "The body brace is a bit like a jockey's vest but it is obviously very rigid," McEvoy said. "You can't move or do anything at all, really.
"I'm happy to be home with the kids although I can't help [wife] Cathy too much. But it's amazing what the body can get used to. It was difficult to sleep at first but I'm OK now."
McEvoy said he had spoken to Hall of Famer Damien Oliver, another jockey who was forced to spend many months in a body brace after suffering a spinal injury in a fall at Moonee Valley a few years ago.
"Damien told me that the problem with wearing a brace for so long is that you lose a lot of core body strength," McEvoy said. "So when the time comes to make my comeback, I'm going to have to spend a lot of time in rehabilitation to help get back to full strength and fitness."
McEvoy's injury is easily the worst he has experienced in his 12-year riding career.
"I've had a couple of bad falls in Melbourne over the years but nothing like this," he said. "It's never a good time to get injured but as I said, I'm pretty fortunate," McEvoy said. "But for now, I'll have to cheer Peter [Snowden] and the boys from the sidelines," - Ray Thomas (Daily Telegraph)
VICKY SCHUBERT (Taree-based apprentice) - "Was involved in a race fall at Newcastle races on February 6th and received a gash to her knee.
"Vicky obtained a clearance to return to work on the 26th February but at the Taree race meeting on the 28th February, she was going to the barriers on a mount for a barrier trail and was dislodged once again.
"Her injury this time was a little more serious; she received a dislocated shoulder and now after reviewing her MRI scan, the orthopaedic surgeon has informed her that she has to undergo surgery as soon as he receives the go ahead from NSW Compo Insurance.
"Recovery time for Vicky from this operation will possibly be up to six months," - Margaret Milligan (wife of Bob Milligan with whom Vicky is apprenticed)
LUCY BROWN - suffered serious injuries after an accident during trackwork at Coonabarabran on the morning of Monday, 15th March 2010.
Lucy is home, and while extremely uncomfortable, is getting around. Her rib fractures have large areas of separation and will take at least six months to knit.
The lung has yet to fully inflate, causing some concern. Lucy has expressed a strong desire to return to the saddle following her convalescence.
HAYLEY MULHERON (Maitland-based apprentice) - was involved in a race fall at last Friday's (19th March) Muswellbrook meeting.
Hayley is believed to have received a fractured eye socket and a broken left leg; she was operated on last Saturday at John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, and has since been released to convalesce at home.
MELISSA RALPH (Albury-based apprentice) - "After 5 weeks back at trackwork Melissa has suffered a second accident, being kicked by a horse and breaking the femur of her previously uninjured leg.
Melissa has had surgery for this second injury and will now be out indefinitely; pending clearances," - Jodie Bohr (Melissa's Master)
*Jockeys / Riders' Agents - to add any further info to this list please call (02) 9551 7568 or email any details to - mbrassel@racingnsw.com.au