Leading jockey Glen Colless faces an extended period on the sidelines with a suspected broken leg.
Colless’s right leg was jammed against the barriers after his mount Vital Organ lashed out when trapped in the stalls before the start of the second race at Doomben on Saturday.
After being treated for several minutes on the track, Colless was taken by ambulance to hospital.
“The initial report from the club doctor is that Glen has a broken fibula in his right leg,” chief steward Wade Birch said.
Earlier, Tim Bell celebrated his first day as a senior rider when Gold Shears scored an upset win.
Bell, 19, recently completed his apprenticeship after four seasons of riding and achieved his 56th winner for 2011-2012 when Gold Shears ($21) won by a half head from Transporter ($6) with From London ($5) three-quarters-of-a-length away third.
“I’ve had a great season to finish second in the premiership but there’s still more to achieve,” Bell said.
Gold Shears is owned by Roma dentist John Harris, whose association with trainer Barry Baldwin stretches back more than 40 years.
“I’ve trained horses for John since 1970 when I was based at Roma,” Baldwin said.
“This mare is only 420 kilograms, about the same weight as me, but she’s a game little thing and has just needed the tracks to dry out to produce her best.”
