Jockey Dean Holland will be out action for up to six weeks after suffering back fractures in a race fall at Sandown.
Holland crashed heavily from the David Hayes-trained Count La Za near the home turn in Wednesday’s Betfair Handicap (2400m).
Scans at Epworth Hospital revealed two minor fractures on the edges of vertebrae in Holland’s lower back.
Holland’s mother and manager, Belinda, said she expected her son to be discharged from hospital on Friday.
“He is staying in hospital again overnight for pain management more than anything else,” she said.
“He’s had a bit of physio today to try and get him up walking around but he is not getting very far. He is a bit wobbly on his legs.
“He’s got a big bruise on his back and the doctor says he is going to be in a bit of pain for about 10 days.
“The fractures are at the end of the vertebrae so he won’t have to have an operation to fuse them but he may not ride again for up to six weeks.”
Stewards adjourned an inquiry into the fall until Holland is fit enough to give evidence.
Holland had won two of his last three rides at Cranbourne and Seymour leading up to the Sandown fall.
AAP TURF
