FIGHTER MIKEY BACK ON TR ACK

WHEN former jockey Michael Weaver, right, was diagnosed with stage- four lung cancer this year, the outlook was bleak. That’s when his son Mark, left, organised a surprise his father would never forget. With the help of TasRacing, race two at Elwick yesterday was called the Keep Fighting Mikey Plate.

Mr Weaver Sr said he was “blown away” by the honour and there was more good news off the track with his oncologist recently reporting being amazed by his response to treatment.

HE might not have backed a winner on the track but Michael Weaver received riches of another kind yesterday.

The horse racing enthusiast — who is recovering from Stage 4 lung cancer — thought attending the races at Elwick Racecourse yesterday would be like any other he’d attended over the years.

But his son, Mark, had other ideas.

After learning of his dad’s diagnosis, Mark approached the state’s racing body about honouring his father — a former jockey — in a way he’d always remember.

With some help from Tasracing, Mark organised for one of yesterday’s races to be named the Keep Fighting Mikey Plate.

Mr Weaver said he was “blown away” by the surprise which saw several of his oldest friends and his chemotherapy nurse turn out to mark the occasion.

“It was an emotional day and not often am I lost for words,” Mr Weaver said.

“It’s just overwhelming to see people make that sort of effort for you.”

Mr Weaver said despite a bleak early diagnosis, medics had since noted promising signs about his condition.

“I’m still undergoing treatment, and although the oncologist has said my results are now looking amazing, they said it can come back at any time,” he said.

“I’m just trying to make each day count and trying to think positively.”

Mark said yesterday was a celebration: “This would have been one of the highlights of Dad’s life. We organised something for him for Father’s Day that he unfortunately wasn’t well enough to attend so we arranged this,” he said.

“We’re very grateful for Tasracing’s generosity, compassion and understanding to allow the day to happen.”