Racing: Young gun ignores danger

Troy Harris has joined the 'please don't fall off' brigade of jockeys.

Senior successful jockey Noel Harris would much rather his son had waited until the metal rods that support his two badly broken legs are removed next year before he returned to race riding.

Medical advisers would have preferred that too.

But Troy Harris has put behind him thoughts of the horrendous race crash that smashed both his legs during a race in Gisborne in February.

Specialists' advice has always been not to ride in races with metal rods in a leg, but jockeys are an impetuous lot and impatience gets the better of them.

Those currently riding with metal rods in their legs include senior South Island jockey Lance Robinson, Patrick Holmes and Kelly Davidson.

Mark Sweeney is recovering from badly broken legs and says there is no way he'll be seen back in action until the rods are removed.

"The specialist said I could when I'm ready, but added, 'If you do, make sure you don't fall off - your legs might come off'."

Troy Harris is one of the most promising apprentices of the past decade and was riding at a level approaching that of a senior rider at the time of his accident. He looks to have a huge future.

"When Troy suggested he might come back early, I told him it had to be his decision," said Noel Harris.

"He recovered so quickly, had so much time on his hands and was getting a little too lost.

"He saw some of the others do it and thought, 'Why not'?

"If it'd been me, I'd be waiting."

Kelly Davidson broke a leg badly last November and decided in May to resume riding with the metal rod still in place.

"My specialist told me I was at risk. He said if I fell on the leg the rod would bend, but it wouldn't break. He said that would create huge problems because the bone around it would shatter."

Davidson has had four falls since returning to race riding, all in training.

"I haven't flipped on raceday, touch wood, but I had one slip over on me and crush me at the jumpouts. I had cracked ribs and a sore leg - the other leg fortunately."

Davidson has been told she can have the rod removed any time from November, but will risk her health well beyond that.

"When you get them taken out you can't ride for six weeks and that would mean missing the summer carnival, so I'm going to get it out next winter. They can take the plates out of my shoulder at the same time."

Troy Harris cannot get his rods out until May.

"Doctors have told Troy not to leave it longer than that because the bone grows over the top of the rods," said Noel Harris.

Troy Harris has landed only a couple of rides per meeting over the last two weeks and has just one mount, Catalina Lady, at Tauranga today.

But it could be a winning ride.

Catalina Lady is a drop-back horse and was unlucky when finishing a close fourth last start.

Wherever the mare finishes it will be a win of sorts for the teenager - simply getting around safely with metal rods in your legs is a victory.