Apprentice Jordan Turner is slowly recovering from the effects of a nasty accident at Flemington last week, but the promising young rider is determined to bounce back and return to Melbourne.
Perth-born Turner is likely to be away from the saddle for a number of weeks after fracturing his shoulder and dislocating his collarbone in a track work mishap.
The setback could not have come at a more inopportune time for the 18-year-old who was starting to hit his straps in the highly competitive Melbourne landscape.
Turner, indentured to veteran Western Australian horseman, Colin Webster, is on a three month loan to Victorian co trainers, Troy and Leon Corstens.
Turner, who returned to Perth to commence his rehabilitation, said he was hoping to be back riding sooner rather than later.
“I’m healing up well and landed back in Perth last night (Monday),” Turner told TABradio’s The Sports Daily.
“I was doing fast work on one of Troy Corsten’s horses and I think it just shied and spotted something.
“It sort of propped to the side and I lost my balance and landed on my shoulder which is how the injury took place.
“I should roughly be six weeks away from doing stuff with my arm and getting it back into shape, at the moment it’s feeling good.”
Turner, son of leading Perth jockey Troy Turner, rode four winners in Melbourne before his setback.
He kicked off the New Year in style booting home Enzo The Barber at Pakenham on January 1 and followed up with Itchy Nee at Benalla, Via Cavour at Sale and Scapa Cove at Pakenham.
Turner said the experience he was gaining in Melbourne was priceless and he would not rule out extending his stay.
“I was definitely enjoying it over there and was learning a lot,” Turner said.
“I’m looking forward to heading back and finishing my loan.
“After that I will take it from there.”
RWWA: Julio Santarelli