Tye Angland has been booked for one ride at Randwick and he is hoping to be fit enough to fulfil it.
The jockey was stood down after the second race at the venue last Saturday with a back complaint and has been undergoing physiotherapy and gentle massage to rectify the issue.
“I’d had a little bit of a sore back throughout the week and once we came into the straight (in the second race) I used the whip and it felt like someone stabbed me in the back,” Angland said.
“It ended up I’d slipped a disc.”
Angland needs a medical clearance to return to the saddle and is hoping to get that when he consults his doctor on Friday.
The uncertainty over his ability to ride at Randwick has left him with a single mount on the nine-race program.
Provided he is given the all clear, he will partner unraced two-year-old To Excess for Tracey Bartley in the TAB More Than Just Winning Plate and if his bullish assessment of the youngster is any guide, Angland might find himself leaving Randwick with a perfect record.
“He’s still got a little bit to learn but he’s shown a lot of potential at the two trials I’ve ridden him in and hopefully he’s going to be too big and strong on Saturday,” Angland said.
“He’s got great gate speed, he puts himself right in the race and he’s very strong to go with it.”
To Excess, a son of Duporth who cost $60,000 at the Inglis Classic sale, is a $21 chance.
Rival Scarlet Rain will be vetted when she arrives at Randwick after the Gai Waterhouse stable reported she had suffered an abrasion to a knee on Tuesday.
Tulloch Lodge told stewards the filly had not missed any work and the news did little to deter early punters with Scarlet Rain a $2.80 favourite to maintain her unbeaten record.
