Beau Mertens has walked away from a nasty looking fall in a race at Caulfield, with the star young jockey complaining of a sore knee.
First reports suggested Mertens would be taken to hospital for further assessment after the fall from Orient Line in the Matthew Davies Handicap (1600m) on Sunday, but last season’s champion Melbourne apprentice later emerged at the track after being attended to on-course.
Mertens was limping with an ice pack in hand but thankful he wasn’t more seriously hurt.
“I’ve got a bit of a sore knee but obviously I’m blessed to get out of it and be able to walk off track,” Mertens said.
Mertens and Orient Line came crashing to the turf just before the 200m mark of the race in the home straight after clipping heels.
Orient Line suffered a catastrophic injury and had to be humanely euthanised.
Stewards held an inquiry and said Orient Line clipped the heels of Rib Eye near the 250m.
They said after viewing the film Mertens believed his mount, who was held up for clear running, improved up onto heels and despite his attempts to restrain him, he struck heels and fell.
Stewards ruled the incident to be accidental.
Mertens said he was likely to see Racing Victoria’s doctor Gary Zimmerman on Monday.
“I just went to the first aid room,” he said.
“I said ‘I should be right’. I had to walk in front of them. It’s a bit sore now but a bit of ice will help it and I’ll see how I go tomorrow.
“I’ll probably visit Gary Zimmerman and see what he thinks. But I should be fine I think.”
Mertens recently became a senior jockey after a successful apprenticeship which included outriding his claim and finishing second in the Melbourne jockeys’ premiership last season.
