REITH HOPING TO RIDE ON FRIDAY

By Graham Potter | Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Jockey Christian Reith is hoping to resume riding on Friday. Reith was dislodged from his mount Onalar, who was a last start winner with Reith on board, when the gelding made an unexpected sharp left turn when about to straighten at the top of the home stretch in the first race at Doomben on Saturday.

As Onalar ducked left, Reith continued forward and slipped out of the saddle. As the rider struggled to regain his balance he momentarily was left hanging alongside his mount which at least meant that he would fall feet first which was not the worst option.

Thankfully Onalar was racing on his own towards the rear, so Reith’s fall was not complicated by congested traffic and the danger that a mass of flying hooves can bring.

But Reith did hit the ground hard and his momentum had him rolling after his riderless horse for a good number of metres down the track.

“Yeah, the horse just put a quick step on me unexpectedly and I just lost my balance,” said Reith. “Injury-wise I came away with a haemorrhage on a muscle which made my knee swell ... my right knee.

“No, I’m not riding at Ipswich on Thursday, but I am going to try and ride on Friday (at The Sunshine Coast). I don’t want to have too long off. I’m aiming at Friday, but I’ve just got to get the swelling out of my knee.”