Walker’s career in doubt
Kiwi jockey Michael Walker describes his crippling back pain as scary and says he wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
The Melbourne-based Walker has confirmed he is out of riding indefinitely following a flare up of an old back injury at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
Walker’s back seized up so badly during race five, he had to be lifted off his mount soon after passing the winning post as the clerk of the course held onto his horse. He was taken away from the Moonee Valley course by ambulance.
‘‘It just locks up and seizes and I cannot move,’’ Walker told Melbourne’s RSN Radio.
Walker was in so much pain he could not even yell out to other jockeys to warn them he was in trouble, so did his best to ride his horse out to the line.
Having experienced the injury a number of times over the last three or four seasons, Walker instantly knew what had happened.
‘‘It’s pretty scary and I wouldn’t wish that pain on anybody,’’ Walker said. ‘‘It just feels like someone has more or less grabbed a screwdriver a drill or a knife and just poked it into your back,’’ Walker told RSN. But what is frustrating Walker the most, is he still has no answers as to what is causing the issue despite undergoing MRI scans and x-rays.
He said all the specialists are scratching their heads as to what is causing the problem.
Walker, who moved to Victoria in 2004, is taking pain medication and has been injected with an epidural. He told RSN the medication is keeping him comfortable.
The frustrated jockey hopes another trip to the specialist in eight days may bring some answers.
Walker broke down in tears when he was home alone on the weekend because he has no idea what is causing the pain.
A former champion apprentice in New Zealand, Walker admits some people may question if his career is at a crossroads, but he is not buying into that talk. The 32-year-old said he is staying positive because he ‘‘loves riding horses’’.
The multiple Group I winning jockey said he is out of racing indefinitely because he does not want to comeback until he is sure his body is right.
‘‘I’m frustrated, I’m sick of coming back, going good and then being injured, so I’m off the scene again.’’
He said there is so many good jockeys in Melbourne, it is hard to pick up quality rides when coming back from injury so he is committing to getting his body sorted and hinted he will not rush his comeback.
‘‘I need to fix this problem, I don’t want to mask it anymore by injecting it,’’ he told RSN. ‘‘I want to be able to come back and know that I’m 150 per cent right,’’ Walker said.
He hopes to have an idea of how long he will be on the sidelines for within the next two weeks.
Walker, who was back in New Zealand earlier this month to ride Kawi in the Group I NRM sprint, said the crouch position of a jockey when on a horse, puts strain on every part of the body, especially the hips, knees and back.
Walker had a major hip operation in December 2015 where a ceramic hip was inserted. That followed previous operations on the same hip in 2006 and 2012.
His hip is now fine, but there is some thought it could be contributing to his current back issues.
Adding to Walker’s disappointment, he feels he was riding better than ever.
Unfortunately, the hugely successful rider is no stranger to extended periods on the sidelines.
Back in May 2008, Walker suffered life-threatening injuries when he fell down a bluff during a pig-hunting trip in a remote part of the King Country and in April last year he had more than six weeks on the sidelines when blood was found on his brain following a fall in the bathtub.
Walker said there was no suggestion either incident had contributed to his current back problem.
He was thankful to everyone in the racing fraternity and the public for their well-wishes. Christchurch breeding outfit Spreydon Lodge netted the biggest price on day one of the New Zealand Premier Yearling Sale in Christchurch on Tuesday.
Lot 277, named Franco Stallone, was sold to Australian buyers Emilo and Mary Rosati for $190,000. The Bettor’s Delight colt out of San Rafaella was secured following a spirited bidding war.
It took until late in the day, but the fireworks finally started with Franco Stallone. Lot 278, an Art Major colt out of Rocknroll Arden was purchased by Canterbury trainer Cran Dalgety for $155,000. The striking colt was bred by Arden Lodge.
In a similar pattern to Monday’s Australasian Classic Yearling Sale at Karaka, the premium lots fetched big bucks , but underneath the top layer it was not as solid. Forty lots were passed in at Karaka on Monday and with a further 39 not selling on Tuesday. However, some of those lots may be sold by negotiation. The top price on Monday was $220,000 for a Bettor’s Delight colt out of relatively unknown mare Daisy Dundee. Bred by Woodlands Stud, the colt named Jesse Duke, was sold to Australian buyer Jean Feiss.
Feiss was back in action at Christchurch on Tuesday when she went to $110,000 to secure another Bettor’s Delight colt out of Christian Cullen mare Star Of Venus. Lot 308, named Self Assured, was bred by Reg Caldow.
The Rosatis were also in the thick of Tuesday’s action with a $187,500 purchase. Kokomo Beach, a Bettor’s Delight colt out of Beach Parade was bred by Breckon Farms.
Breckon Farms also sold the top trotting lot on Monday with Legendary Lover for $125,000.