Nothdurft confident but Banks on the sidelines
RACING: Apprentice Baylee Nothdurft is confident of winning his fitness battle ahead of the weekend but the news is not so good for his fellow Toowoomba rider Todd Banks.
Nothdurft and Banks were involved in a Clifford Park track-work spill on Tuesday which saw them both transported to hospital for observation.
Nothdurft was cleared of any breaks but Banks sustained a broken upper arm and facial injuries.
“I’m out of hospital but I’ve broken my humerus, eye socket and nose and have badly bruised feet,” Banks said yesterday.
“I’ll be out somewhere between 12 and 16 weeks but I count myself and Baylee very lucky considering.
“I had some nice horses coming back to look forward to but I’ll be missing them now.”
Nothdurft plans to ride at Beaudesert tomorrow before returning to Clifford Park for six rides including Dylan’s Luck for his master Lindsay Hatch in the Provincial Distributors Benchmark 75 Handicap (1000m).
“I’m going for a clearance tomorrow,” Nothdurft said yesterday.
“I’ve got a bit of bruising but I should be sweet for Saturday.
“I was very lucky. Toddy got the worst of it. His horse rolled on him but hopefully he’ll be okay.”
■ JANDOWAE Race Club returns to the Downs racing calendar tomorrow when it stages its annual five-race cupday card.
First race jumps at 1.15.