Two of Australia’s leading female jockeys are set to return to racing within the next month.
Katelyn Mallyon, last year’s Victorian apprentice of the year, and Michelle Payne have both been sidelined with injuries.
Mallyon suffered a broken back in a fall at Flemington last May while Payne’s injury run continued with back, facial injuries and concussion at Ararat in September.
Mallyon has been riding trackwork after four months out of the saddle and is on the verge of riding in races.
“I’ve got to see my specialist on February 7 with my last X-rays and he said I can pretty much ride the next day,” Mallyon said.
“It’s been eight months now and my specialist wants it to be the nine-month mark.
“He’s very happy with me and he pretty much said I could go back to the races now but he’d feel more comfortable when it’s at the nine-month mark,” she said.
Payne is set to resume racing at the end of this month.
“It’s going really well,” Payne said. “I’ve been riding a lot of trackwork at (brother) Patrick’s farm out at Rockbank and my fitness is coming along really well.
“I’m aiming to be back by the end of January.
“(Her father) Paddy has a couple of horses heading down to Tasmania for the Hobart and Launceston Cups and hopefully I’ll be fit enough to ride (for him).”
Payne remains committed to a short-term career, planning to retire in about two years.
“I don’t want push my luck too far,” she said.
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