Shaun Phelan’s first visit to the Warrnambool carnival didn’t go as planned and the Cambridge horseman is keen on a return to tend to unfinished business.
The country’s reigning champion jumps jockey had unplaced rides on the opening day last Tuesday aboard Not Usual Dream and Johnny Buccaneer in maiden hurdle events and on Abacus in the Brierly Steeplechase (3450m).
The following day, he suffered a nasty fall from the Andrew Bobbin-trained Mighty Oasis in a 3450m steeplechase to end his participation.
“I got back home over the weekend and I’m pretty sore and stiff, I’ve got compressed fractures of the T6 and T7,” Phelan said.
“It’s not as serious as it sounds and they’re not going to move so it just needs some time and I’ll be getting plenty of physio.
“I definitely want to get back over there, maybe again this year as I’ve been getting a lot of support.”
Phelan has his fingers crossed his recovery will be a smooth one so he can firstly reunite this winter with champion jumper The Cossack.
“I’m hoping I’ll be out for less than six weeks, I want to ride The Cossack if he runs in the Waikato Steeplechase (3900m),” he said.
Phelan has been the regular rider of the Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougal-trained son of Mastercraftsman with their major wins including the Grand National Hurdle (4200m), Great Northern Hurdle (4200m) and the Hawke’s Bay Hurdle (3100m).
He also partnered the gelding in two Australian starts last winter and they finished runner-up in the Grand National Steeplechase (4500m) at Ballarat.
The Cossack successfully defended his title in the Ken & Roger Browne Memorial (3900m) at Te Rapa on Saturday in the hands of Dean Parker after Phelan guided him to victory 12 months ago.
Phelan mixes riding with his Cambridge training operation and will have dual representation in the Listed Rotorua Cup (2200m) at Arawa Park on Saturday with Enchanted Elle and Hit The Road Jack.
Enchanted Elle put together three staying wins on the bounce last preparation and has had two runs since a spell with a most recent third over 2100m at Hastings a sound performance.
“She’s going super and I’ve got Michael McNab to ride her and so that’s a big plus,” Phelan said.
McNab has ridden the daughter of Jakkalberry three times for two wins and a second.
Hit The Road Jack has been out three times since returning from a spell and finished fifth in the Listed Hawke’s Bay Cup (2200m) two runs back before he beat one runner home at Te Rapa last time out.
“The track was a bit good for him the other day, he just needs it wetter. Hamish (McNeill) will probably ride him,” Phelan said.
Also by the late Jakkalberry, Hit The Road Jack will also be seen out in a new role in the coming weeks.
“He’s a bit older and a bit more cunning now so he’ll be going jumping soon,” Phelan said.
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