Driver coming back
The subject of one of the most viewed harness racing photos in the world this year is eyeing a comeback to the race track soon.
Respected Canterbury horseman, Terry Chmiel, has been resting and recuperating since a spectacular fall on Show Day at Addington that saw a photo of him flying through the air shared around the world.
Chmiel’s drive, Divinia Bellezza, crashed into the back of a rival runner, who incidentally was her stablemate, and her 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 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 his ankle and heel.
‘‘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’d 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 the foot and is heading back to the doctor’s this week for a progress report.
‘‘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.’’
It wasn’t until much later that Chmiel first 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 much fun, especially with the busy summer season in full swing.
NZ Harness News