Michael Walker will make a low-key return to race riding with one mount at Pakenham following a month on the sidelines because of injury.
Walker hasn’t ridden since partnering Portion Control at Moonee Valley on June 20 after which he was in crippling pain.
A prolapsed disc has kept Walker out of the saddle but Walker says he is fit and ready to go after receiving injections for the problem.
After convalescing in New Zealand with family, Walker returned to Melbourne on Sunday night and rides Derrymore for David Hayes and Tom Dabernig on Tuesday.
He has a further two rides at Bendigo on Wednesday.
Walker said he had not been aboard a horse since his last ride at Moonee Valley but was confident he was over his injury.
“These injections have settled it down, but still you don’t know until you’re in that position on a horse,” Walker said.
“I’m pretty confident that I’m fine and I’m looking forward to the spring.”
Walker said he was under strict instructions not to ride in case the injury flared again.
He said his back had been so bad he needed the long rest.
“I got these injections two weeks ago and they said to me you’ll notice a difference in 10 days to two weeks, and I really have,” Walker said.
“Tomorrow is a big test but I’m confident I’ll pull through.”
Walker has ridden 128 winners Australia-wide this season.
He was in contention for national honours before his injury woes with James McDonald, Blake Shinn and Dean Yendall now fighting it out.
Walker also won his first Victorian Group One race during the season aboard Spillway in the Australian Cup for Hayes and Dabernig.
