SHOULDER SOLDIER
IT’S a punter’s worst nightmare.
A jockey in contention to win at the Gold Coast has dislocated his shoulder and incredibly put it back in while riding at full speed down the straight.
Boris Thornton, 21, was entering the home straight on Canongate and poised to make his charge when his shoulder popped out.
“It was pretty painful until I managed to put it back into place,” Thornton said.
“I must have rotated my arm in an awkward manner.
“I had to put it back in during the race because I was in too much pain and I probably wouldn’t have been able to pull the horse up if I left it out.
“I threw my arm around and managed to get it back in but it’s not the easiest thing to do while riding.
“You have to keep yourself going and stay on top of the horse, otherwise there will be worse injuries when you come off.”
It came two races after Thornton rode Gypsy’s Tip to victory in the Fillies and Mares Maiden Handicap (1200m) at Aquis park.
Thornton felt he was still in with a shot to win on Canongate, a $14 chance in the Benchmark 65 race.
“I thought I was still in contention,” Thornton said.
“I still managed to ride to fourth after it happened but I thought I could have gone into the top three and given the winner (Last Light) a fright.”
Thornton had originally injured his shoulder and tore the MCL in his knee three months ago after falling from a horse in a jumpout at Eagle Farm. The hoop had six weeks off and hadn’t had another problem until Saturday’s race.
Thornton was examined by ambulance officials and incredibly got a medical clearance that day to ride again on Sunday at the Sunshine Coast.
“I had some painkillers and a teaspoon of cement, hardened up and got on with it,” he said.
Thornton will see a specialist on Thursday to determine if he needs surgery.
“It will be interesting to see what the specialist thinks and whether it needs surgery or if we can get away without it,” Thornton said.
“I don’t want to have surgery if I don’t have to.
“If I think I can manage then I will because I have had too much time off (from riding) recently.”