Darren Gauci landed his first winner in 10 months when he guided Alter Ego, his only mount for the day, to an easy win at Kyneton.
Gauci was having his ninth race ride since he suffered career-threatening injuries when his mount Gothic Armageddon veered through the plastic running rail, collapsed and died of a heart attack at Mornington on June 28.
The veteran jockey suffered a compressed fracture in one of his lower vertebra, several broken ribs and a bruised aorta.
Gauci resumed riding on April 14 when he finished third on Booklet at Caulfield.
The four-time Melbourne jockeys’ premiership winner sported a big smile as he returned to scale on the Michael Sell-trained Alter Ego ($4.60) who revelled in the heavy going to score a seven-length win.
“I’ve still got a little bit to improve,” Gauci said.
“I needed the run I reckon, but I’m coming along nicely and (I’m) very happy with the way things are going.”
