Jockey Glen Colless has declared his fitness to resume riding following a bout of vertigo.
Colless, who has five rides at Eagle Farm on Wednesday, visited his doctor on Monday to gain a riding clearance after dizziness and blurred vision forced him to stand down after fulfilling only one riding commitment at Eagle Farm last Saturday.
He was out of action after a fall from five-year-old Favours Traded at Doomben on July 6.
“I was sidelined for a few weeks with vertigo after the fall,” Colless said.
“It’s hard to explain but I was a bit dizzy and had no sense of balance.
“I could only ride one horse last Saturday so I went to see my doctor yesterday but he wasn’t too concerned.
“I rode a few horses trackwork this morning and then rode in a few barrier trials and I’m feeling fine again now.”
Colless is confident the vertigo won’t return and is looking for a big payday at Eagle Farm.
One of Colless’ best rides looks to be the Alan Bailey-trained Age Of Heroes in the Bundaberg Five White Rum Handicap (1300m).
Age Of Heroes is close to peak fitness following two starts this campaign.
The son of Grandera resumed from a lengthy spell when finishing second to Tierqualo in the Tattersall’s Arcade Handicap (1200m) at Eagle Farm on July 23 before a last-start third to Leapfrog in a 1200-metre Open at Doomben on August 6.
Age Of Heroes has had a remarkable career considering Bailey was advised to retire him two years ago because of chronic leg problems.
“I sent him down to the equine centre at Randwick a few years ago and they put a dye through him to find any hot spots,” Bailey said.
“The report came back showing he had stress fractures everywhere and the vets advised me to retire him.
“Because of his problems he only ever has a few runs each campaign before he needs to go back out for a break.”
Age Of Heroes has managed to win almost $220,000 in prizemoney with seven wins and eight placings from 21 starts despite his ongoing leg issues.
Bailey is confident Age Of Heroes can make it win number eight despite the presence of Tierqualo who beat him at Eagle Farm last month.
“He’s (Age Of Heroes) no world-beater but if you take the topweight (Tierqualo) out it’s not an overly-strong field,” Bailey said.
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