Hoop’s first fall tough break
Albany jockey Natasha Faithfull will be sidelined for at least two months after scans revealed a broken ankle after a nasty fall in the opening race at Kalgoorlie Boulder Racing Club on Sunday afternoon.
Faithfull had scans in Perth on Tuesday to learn the extent of her injuries after spending Sunday night at Kalgoorlie Heath Campus under observation.
The 23-year-old was riding Kooltatt in race 1 at Kalgoorlie-Boulder when the horse faltered in its action nearing the 400m mark, dislodging Faithfull in front of several other runners.
She fell heavily on the track but remained conscious and was released from hospital on Monday morning. Scans have revealed Faithfull has a fractured left ankle and will be in a moon boot for six weeks and sidelined from riding for between eight and 10 weeks.
Faithfull, who rode 27 winners last season, will find out next week if the fracture requires surgery, which could rule her out of action for even longer.
The injury has ruled Faithfull out of the lucrative upcoming Kalgoorlie Race Round, including the Hannans Handicap and Kalgoorlie Cup.
The talented hoop said despite the setback she was thankful to avoid serious injury that could have threatened her career.
“It was my first fall in an actual race,” she said.
“I was pretty lucky really.
“It could have been a lot worse when you think about it.
“I thought she (Kooltatt) was going to win the race the way we travelled but it’s just a freak accident.
“I’m really upset for the owner.
“It’s not a nice thing to happen to anyone.”
A post-race veterinary exam revealed the mare had a fractured near fore fetlock and she was put down.
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