Racing: Willing to risk all to be in saddle again

Taking it easy has proved too much for Kelly Davidson.

To alleviate the frustration, the Matamata jockey will do what she swore she wouldn't - come back to race riding before getting the rod out of the leg she shattered in a race fall last November.

Specialists have insisted the rod stay in the damaged leg for 12 months.

When Davidson had that reaffirmed in a recent medical visit, the specialist added: "You won't want to get it out in November, because you have to stand down for six weeks and that will encompass Christmas racing."

On the spot Davidson decided to return to raceday riding immediately and tried herself out with two rides at the Te Awamutu barrier trials on Tuesday.

"I had a 1600m maiden ride, which I thought would really have me stretched, but I pulled up really well and I feel good today," she said.

"Normally your first ride back is really tough."

Davidson will reappear at Tauranga races on May 4.

She has been well advised that riding with a rod in her femur creates the possibility of serious damage if she has another major fall.

Jockeys don't allow themselves to dwell on danger.

"If I fall it's going to break anyway and it might just be stronger with the rod in it."

Apprentice Troy Harris, who shattered both femurs in a race fall at Gisborne two months ago, is another who is keen to return to the raceday saddle before the rods are out of his leg.

Now retired Lance O'Sullivan and senior jockey Peter Johnson have both advised against it.

Harris has made a remarkable recovery to this point, walking without crutches and even riding a bike.

He told his father, senior rider Noel Harris, that when he saw his orthopaedic specialist on Tuesday, he was of the opinion that at the present level of progress there was a chance he could resume riding trackwork as soon as six weeks.

"That sounds a bit quick to me," said Harris senior yesterday. "I'll be going along to the next visit in six weeks time."

Davidson's major boredom factor was eased only slightly by the fact she has been building a house in Matamata.

"I've been picking colours and probably ordering the odd tradesman around, but I need to be doing something and I was pleased to resume riding trackwork a couple of weeks ago."

Catherine Treymane says she will make a decision in the next week when she will resume her riding career.

Treymane has not ridden since March 2003, her last winner being Egyptian Reign in the group two Swettenham Stakes in Adelaide in February 2003.

Mental fatigue from the pressure of riding for big punters in Asia was the reason Treymane gave race riding away.

"I spent a lot of time riding in Malaysia and there is pressure when punting rules racing rather than the sport of it.

"I'm used to appreciating racing for the sport."

Treymane started to have weight problems, but she says that was simply because she was sick of it.

"There will be no weight problems when I come back, which will be within a month."

She will continue to train a moderate sized team at Cambridge. "I've got 15 in work at the moment and combining riding and training will be no problem - I've got terrific staff."

Mark Sweeney, who suffered three compound fractures in a leg at the Cambridge barrier trials, has been lucky enough to avoid skin grafts.

Specialists planned possibly two courses of skin grafts for Sweeney's damaged leg, but have been delighted with the progress to the point they have abandoned their plans.

Rogan Norvall has the mandatory three-week stand down period after suffering concussion in a fall at the Te Awamutu barrier trials.

Norvall remembers little of being catapulted when his mount hit the running rail during a trial.

Injured jockeys

* Kelly Davidson is coming back to race riding before the rod is removed from the leg she badly broke in November.

* She says her fitness is perfect for a reappearance at Tauranga on May 4.

* Troy Harris is making remarkable progress with his two shattered legs from a race fall at Gisborne.