Although top rider Ryan Maloney had to bypass winning rides following the terrible hand he was dealt yesterday at Ipswich, he may not have to on Saturday at Eagle Farm.
Still a cloud lingers over his head re recovery but x-rays today revealed he had not suffered a vertebra fracture which was initially though when he was smashed over the fence on Shane Warne’s horse.
The incident was horrific and although no intent or malice was shown by the offending rider, Ben Thompson, the who affair left a bitter taste in many, many mouths.
Thompson is clear to ride on Saturday at this moment too. He has 9 rides where as Maloney has 6 mounts.
But an enquiry, and one that will be a very public enquiry, into his handling of the mount he rode that caused the carnage, has been adjourned to a date to be fixed.
To his credit, young Thompson did go and apologise to his more senior Maloney who was bitter about the fall as you would imagine.
He wanted to win the race.
He wore a black arm band in memory of the great man Shane Warne and his only comment when Thompson came to apologise was, “you should have known better.”
Shocking incidents occur constantly in this sport. Ryan Maloney knows this and he understands that Thompson was not being wilful.
Despite hitting the railing hard, Warnie’s horse Sacred Oath did not receive any injury so both horse and rider will live to fight another day.
Doctors will observe Maloney Saturday morning in regards to his book of rides at Eagle Farm, but the recovering jockey feels certain he will be right to compete.
