Apprentice Priscilla Schmidt and senior jockey Larry Cassidy are expected to be sidelined for an indefinite period following a four-horse fall at Doomben.
Schmidt broke her right ankle and will have x-rays on her left leg after her mount Tisani Boy clipped the heels of Chris Munce’s mount I’m The One on the home turn of Wednesday’s Montrose Access Handicap (1200m).
The fall caused a chain reaction with apprentice Jason Leatherby’s mount Hussminda, Mohawk, ridden by Bill Abbey, and Cassidy’s Luminous Harmony all coming to grief simultaneously on the home turn.
Leatherby and Abbey escaped serious injury and returned to the jockeys’ room while Schmidt lay motionless on the track for almost an hour while ambulance officers treated her injuries.
Schmidt and Cassidy were both taken to Royal Brisbane hospital with Cassidy suffering possible fractured ribs and complaining of back pain.
Cassidy was due to ride the Liam Birchley-trained Leisele in the Listed Travel Associates Classic Plate at Eagle Farm on Saturday while Schmidt had a book of four rides.
Stewards have adjourned an inquiry into the fall until both injured riders are able to give evidence.
Earlier Toowoomba trainer Tony Sears was daring to dream of a hometown Weetwood Handicap victory with The Ringmaster following the promising four-year-old’s dominant win at Doomben.
The Ringmaster ($1.40 fav) cruised to a 2-1/4 length win over Western Shadow ($8) in the Bollinger Class Three Plate (1030m).
Third placegetter, Sir Qualified, was a further two lengths away third.
Sears has never had a horse good enough to win the Listed Weetwood Handicap (1200m) in March but rates The Ringmaster his best ever hope.
“I’m going to give him one more run at Doomben in a fortnight then I’ll put him away and miss the heat with him,” Sears said.
“He’ll come back in time for the Weetwood and I think he’d be a great chance.”
Sears has deliberately held back The Ringmaster, who took his record to three wins from seven starts.
“He’s been very immature but I think he’ll eventually run 1600 metres,” Sears said.
“I would have taken him to Sydney before this had he been more mature.
“This was only 1030 metres but it takes its toll on him so I’ll have to go easy on him for a few days.”
The Ringmaster, a son of Clang, was bred by Rob and Bruce Harvey.
“Rob is an accountant who lives in Sydney and Bruce is a real estate agent in New Zealand,” Sears said.
“I’ve got his full sister at home and she goes pretty good as well.”
AAP TURF
