Driver on the mend

The subject of one of the most viewed harness racing photos in the world this year is eyeing up a race track comeback.

Harness racing driver Terry Chmiel has been on a rest and recuperation diet since a fall on Show Day at Addington last month.

A photo of him flying through the air was shared across the world. Chmiel’s drive, Divinia Bellezza, crashed into the back of a rival runner, who was her stablemate and the driver Robbie Close, was also flung on to the track.

‘‘I can remember seeing Robbie’s going rough in front of me and thinking that I needed to get out of his way,’’ Chmiel said.

‘‘But there wasn’t anywhere to go and the next minute I was flying through the air. I can remember the pain when I hit the ground, but other than that there’s not much more I can remember.’’

Chmiel was taken to hospital, where it was revealed he had broken an ankle and a heel in the fall.

‘‘The pain told me it was something serious, but I was also worried about where the horses behind me were too. That’s why I dragged myself onto the inside of the track.

‘‘I didn’t know there had been a fall further back in the field, so it actually probably worked out OK for me in that sense.’’

Chmiel has had a plate and screws inserted into a foot. He is heading back to the doctors this week for a progress report to hopefully get a timeline on when he might be able to get back into things properly.

‘‘Initially the hope was that I might be getting back on track by the end of December, but we’ll just have to wait and see what they say this week.’’

It wasn’t until much later Chmiel saw the image, captured by racing photographer Ajay Berry.

‘‘When I first saw it, I couldn’t believe how high I had got in the air, it was pretty incredible to see that perspective.’’

Being stuck on crutches with a cast hasn’t been a whole lot of fun, especially at this time of the year when he’d normally be busy driving at race meetings.

‘‘We’ve got a nice wee team of horses at home too which doesn’t make it any easier. It’s been a little frustrating.

‘‘But hopefully we can get a goal to work towards this week which will help a lot.’’

Chmiel was the only driver injured in the incident and all horses involved were treated for minor abrasions.