Star hoop back home to rest after nasty fall

STAR Adelaide jockey Raquel Clark will not ride again this year.

Clark has returned home to Tasmania recover from a nasty race fall at Morphettville earlier this month.

A partially deflated lung has prevented Clark from flying meaning she travelled home on the Spirit of Tasmania. But the lung is only a minor issue according to the star jockey who won the SA Jockey of the Year and Apprentice Jockey of the Year on the back of winning the Metropolitan and Provincial and Country Jockey titles in both the Senior and Apprentice categories.

“That’s [her lung] one of the minor things to be honest,’’ Clark said on RadioTAB.

“I’ve got a lot of trauma to my head unfortunately. That’s going to take it’s time.”

Clark was knocked unconscious in a fall after the line at Morphettville early in November when her horse Goodgee clipped heels past the post dislodging her, before rolling on top of her.

She said doctors suggested a relaxing break back home would help aid the healing process. “I seen my doctor the other day and he said a trip back home before my rehab wouldn’t hurt,’’ Clark added.

“I’m going to spend a couple of weeks in Tassie and then head back and start some rehab,’’ she said.

A prolonged absence from the saddle appear likely for Clark who continued her massive year winning the Group 2 Danehill Stakes at Flemington aboard Dalasan during the Melbourne Spring Carnival.

“I’ve stated that I won’t be riding this year,” Clark said.

“My rehab will take a fair bit of time so we will reassess next year and see how I am going.

“I’m getting better, I feel like I am grasping my memory a little bit more

“I can’t remember much from the first week I was out.

“My memory is getting a lot better and I’m starting to get my bearings a bit.’’

Clark plans to return to Adelaide later in the year before commencing rehabilitation.