Lani takes the reins
Fancourt’s booting home winners after recovering from horror fall
LITTLE more than 12 months ago Lani Fancourt’s career was in the balance.
The talented Brisbane apprentice fractured her neck in a nasty fall at Toowoomba on December 31, 2015 and was told by doctors she may never ride again.
“They did tell me to look at other career options but I never gave up,” the 24-year-old said.
“I knew I was always coming back and it was just about getting through those small hiccups.”
Fancourt spent nine weeks in a neck brace but after her neck healed she was held back by nerve damage in her right hand.
“That was the hardest part ... my nervous system was playing up and it transferred from my neck, to my back, to my arm,” Fancourt said.
“But I had an operation to release the nerve and I woke up and it’s been fine since.”
Fancourt has booted home 17 winners at a healthy strike rate of 15 per cent since making her comeback late last year and will bid to continue her good form with two rides at Lismore today.
“I’ve had an incredible comeback really, back to where I was before I fell and I’m enjoying it more than ever,” she said.
“There was a few touch and go moments throughout the 10 months (off the scene) but I’ve recovered 100 per cent.”
Fancourt will ride Miss Arabella and Amaryliss for her boss Tony Gollan in races 6 and 8 respectively at Lismore and believes both fillies will go close.
“Hopefully the track suits Miss Arabella and she has been knocking on the door,” Fancourt said.
“Amaryliss will jump on speed and being a front-runner’s track that should suit her. I think stepping up over distance she is going to be a better filly as well.
“She had a it quite easy out in front ( when she won an Eagle Farm maiden last start) but she finished off strong to the line.”