Ballarat harness racing driver Michael Stanley will spend the next six weeks on the sidelines from back injuries, but has fortunately escaped more significant issues after a dramatic exit from Saturday night’s Bendigo Pacing Cup.
Stanley, one of Victoria’s most successful reinsmen with seven Group 1 wins, was hit from behind by eventual winner Major Meister when he attempted to pull favourite Rock N Roll Doo out of the race in the back straight the final time.
“He was kept in the Bendigo hospital overnight and discharged just before lunch time,” Stanley’s father Ian said.
“They found that he had a couple of broken vertebrae in the bottom of his spine. Thankfully a spine specialist found no major damage, but it will be a healing process of probably six weeks or more.
“It will involve keeping the pain under control and a lot of rest to let it heal. It could have been worse, but fortunately there’s no injury to any organs.”
Rock N Roll Doo had been over-racing outside the leader, and going down the back straight the final time Stanley sensed something was amiss with the gelding and tried to move to the top of the track. He avoided Torrid Saint (Jack Laugher) who was out three wide and about to wind up, but was then hit from behind by Major Meister (Cam Hart) as he peeled even deeper.
Stanley said his son first noticed Rock N Roll Doo’s unusual breathing going into the final lap.
“He wasn’t sure, but was keeping an eye on things. When the horse started to give ground, Michael was under the impression that he may have been choking down,” Stanley said.
“The horse is fine now. Michael’s wife Genevieve and the stable staff will keep things rolling.”
Rock N Roll Doo is set to trial at Geelong tonight ahead of a tilt at January 21’s Ballarat Pacing Cup.
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