Popular trainer Pat Duff is hoping to make a racetrack appearance on Saturday after spending four weeks in hospital.
Duff, a leading Brisbane trainer for four decades and a former president of the trainers’ association, broke a hip in an accident at his home in late June.
He had a hip replacement but also contracted pneumonia which resulted in him spending longer than expected in hospital.
“A few other things went wrong and as the doctor said, I reached my 100,000 kilometre tune-up date,” Duff said.
“The worst thing was I couldn’t get racing on television in hospital.
“I got out last Friday and I got a real boost when my horse Unbowed won at the Sunshine Coast last Saturday.”
Duff hopes to be at Doomben this Saturday to see two of his promising horses, Show Command and Late Payment, in the Coastal Fresh Hcp (1600m).
“They both had no luck last start and it isn’t the toughest three-year-old (race) I have seen. It is basically a maiden,” Duff said.
“They should race well but the main thing is I hope I can get there to see them race.
“You don’t realise how much you miss race day until you can’t get there.”
