A battered and bruised Glen Colless has declared his fitness to continue his association with promising mare Skating On Ice at Eagle Farm.
Skating On Ice will be chasing her sixth win from 15 starts in Saturday’s David Jones Handicap (1200m)
Colless suffered minor concussion and was forced to stand down from his remaining commitments at Doomben on Wednesday after his mount, the Bryan Guy-trained Gallant Boy, collapsed and died from a bleeding attack near the home turn.
Colless managed to escape serious injury when he leapt from Gallant Boy just before the gelding crashed through the outside rail.
“I’m still a little sore and stiff around one shoulder but I’m right to ride,” Colless said.
“I’ll probably see a physio at some stage and have a massage but I’m riding tomorrow at the Gold Coast and Caloundra.”
It’s the second time this year Colless has suffered a heavy head knock.
He had vertigo and was forced out of the saddle for nearly six weeks following a fall in the winter.
Colless mutilated his left foot in a similar incident when Indiana Storm staggered before crashing into the outside rail at Eagle Farm in February 2009.
In the 2009 incident, surgeons pinned two of Colless’ toes but he later had the middle toe of his left foot amputated.
Colless has six mounts at Eagle Farm and declared Skating On Ice as one of his best.
The Les Kelly-trained Skating On Ice is being aimed at some of the lucrative black type fillies and mares races over the summer following her impressive 1200m victory in Class Six company at Doomben on November 5.
Colless rode the daughter of Bradbury’s Luck for the first time when she finished fifth at Eagle Farm last month.
Bradbury’s Luck sired his first Group One winner when Luckygray claimed last week’s Group One Railway Stakes in Perth.
“She’s a nice mare but she got all the breaks when she won at Doomben last time, Colless said.
“I was probably too aggressive on her from her awkward draw and she needs to be ridden more quiet.
“Riding her back off the pace more will allow her to show her good turn of foot.”
AAP TURF
