Wilson to shoulder load for Cup card

A CROOK shoulder was never going to stop Tolga jockey Stephen Wilson from riding in the main event of the Townsville Winter Carnival this afternoon.

Wilson is one of North Queensland’s leading hoops, but he’s been out of action for the past month after tearing a muscle in his shoulder blade in what he described as a “just a freak accident”.

The Irishman made a quiet return to racing at Cluden Park yesterday with two rides for the Molino stable and he’s gearing up for a full card at the Townsville Cup.

Wilson admitted he lacked a bit of conditioning in his first race back, but he has planned his recovery around Cup Day and said he was just excited to be back in the saddle.

“It’s the biggest day of the year in Townsville so I’m glad we could we make it,” Wilson said.

“I was a bit fat on the one that had a chance on Thursday, I suppose, but it wasn’t too bad.

“It’ll be a big test with five or six rides on Saturday so we’ll see how we pull up.

“I can ride with my eyes closed so the shoulder is no issue. We’ll push on and hopefully we can get a winner.”

Wilson will be aboard Lyrical Son for his father-in-law Alby Molino in the Townsville Cup before piloting Mr Chaplin again for the Molino stable in the Cleveland Bay sprint.

Lyrical Son has had a good preparation for the Cup, finishing second over the distance at Cluden Park last weekend, but Wilson felt both horses would still need a good run.

“We didn’t have much luck in the barrier draw in the Cleveland Bay, but then you’ve got to be in it to win,” he said.

“They’re chances.”