Long recovery ahead for jockeys
For the second time in four days, a race on the West Coast was abandoned due to an injured jockey lying on the track.
The latest incident came at Hokitika on Tuesday when apprentice jockey Gosen Jogoo fell in the final race of the day.
The race was abandoned as the field rounded the home bend because Jogoo was still being attended to on the track just past the winning post.
His fall came just four days after Zubair Bholah was knocked unconscious and suffered multiple injuries in a horror fall at Kumara on Saturday. That race was also abandoned.
Bholah and Jogoo are both Mauritius-born but base themselves in the South Island.
Jogoo was transported to the Grey Base Hospital but was released on Tuesday night and was being treated at Christchurch Hospital yesterday.
The 29-year-old, who has ridden over 120 winners since beginning his career in New Zealand in 2014 with North Canterbury trainers John and Karen Parsons, has suffered a broken tibia and bruising to his back.
Jogoo’s mount Whitney lay outwards rounding the first bend on the opening lap of the race, contacting the heels of another runner. Jogoo became unbalanced and was dislodged from his horse, falling to the track.
He will be on the sidelines for some time but it was a lucky escape from a scary fall that could have been much worse.
Stuff understands Jogoo was struck on the back by the hoof of a trailing horse but the impact was largely absorbed by his protective vest that are mandatory for all jockeys.
Bholah has been cleared of any serious head injuries, spinal cord and nerve damage but faces a long road to recovery.
He has three fractures in his neck, a broken collarbone and shoulder and also suffered a severe laceration around his jaw and chin and remains in Christchurch Hospital. Bholah is expected to make a full recovery.
Race day falls are not uncommon but to have two on the same circuit within four days is extremely rare. Track conditions are not thought to have played a part in either fall.