Jockey Holly McKechnie has had a 2018 she’d prefer to forget.
McKechnie finished 2017 with broken bones in her left foot after what seemed an innocuous accident on the way to the barriers at Penshurst’s Boxing Day meeting. 
The injuries required the insertion of three plates and have sidlined the popular Horsham hoop for almost nine months, but things got worse last week.
 McKechnie broke bones in her right foot when an unraced three-year-old stood on it at the stables of her partner, Paul Preusker.
“I knew my right foot was broken straight away,” she said. 
“The early indications are it will be in a cast for six weeks and then I’ve got to do rehab. 
“I’m back on crutches. 
“It’s so disappointing — I was just staring to recover. 
“I probably won’t ride again this year, which is terrible news, but I’ll be trying to get back as soon as possible.”
McKechnie says it has been frustrating to sit on the sidelines while Preusker has been training winners.
“It’s good the stable’s winning races but it’s hard to cope with because I’m not riding them,” she said. 
“We’ve been really lucky in that Paul has such great staff. 
“We’ve got some nice young horses in the stable and one of those is the horse that stood on my foot. 
“I can’t complain about injuries — that’s racing — you’ve just got to get on with it.”
McKechnie, whose first winner was Dangerous Reef in 1999, is no stranger to hospitals, having broken both arms twice, both ankles, ribs and a collarbone in trackwork or race falls.
Tarquin on target
Ex-Godolphin galloper Tarquin could make his debut for Warrnambool trainer Simon Ryan at the Ararat Cup meeting on November 11.
Tarquin won five of his 31 starts for the powerful Godolphin operation before clients of Ryan purchased the six-year-old.
“He’s a lovely type of horse,” Ryan said. 
“I’ve still got to do a bit of work with him but I’m thinking of kicking his campaign off in the China Bowl. 
“His flat form is a bit patchy, but he’s been well schooled over the jumps.
“Jumping may be on the agenda, but his owner is contemplating having him ready for the Darwin Cup next year. I really do like the horse. He’s a lovely mover.”
The son of Hard Spun has won more than $500,000.
Hippy worth the wait
Patience was the key to the win of Warrnambool-trained Do The Hippy in a maiden over 1125 metres at bet365 Geelong last Friday, according to Daniel Bowman.
Do The Hippy ($7) defeated No Drama Darci and Can’t Forget You in the $26,000 race.
“The owners have been sensational,” Bowman said. 
“They’ve been very patient. 
“The horse had a bone splint to his off-side leg so we needed to give him a good rest. 
“We’ve always had a good opinion of him. I thought it was a strong win from a wide barrier. 
“I’m quietly confident he’ll measure up to a sprint race around Moonee Valley on a Friday night.”
From his three starts, Do The Hippy has won $21,270 in prizemoney for his connections.
Coleraine a cracker
Coleraine Racing Club officials are looking forward to a big day at their once-a-year race meeting this Sunday, on the back of added prizemoney.
The Coleraine Cup (1800m) carries stake money of $45,000 plus a VOBIS Gold Bonus of $20,000, while the time-honoured Great Western Steeplechase is a $40,000 race.
Tough ’chaser Urban Explorer will attempt to cap off a big year for veteran trainer Eric Musgrove when he runs in the 3600-metre steeplechase.
“The stable has had a good jumps season — probably our best for a few years,” Musgrove said. 
“We haven’t won many of the feature jumps races but we’ve won a lot of the small ones. 
“We’ve got a really nice team of jumping horses going forward to next season.”
“Jumps racing has had a real resurgence with new owners and trainers over the last few years and that’s great news for the sport.”