Top lightweight jockey Dean Yendall will be on the sidelines for another three months following an operation to his left hip.
Horsham-based Yendall had the hip “resurfaced” in Melbourne on July 11 and is facing a long break on the sidelines but, he hopes, relief after years of pain in the joint.
“I’m just glad I’ve had the operation,” he said. “I was in bad pain for more than three years.
“I only told a couple of people that I was going in (for the op) and I’ve kept a pretty low profile since.
“It’s starting to feel a lot better. I’m getting around on crutches but I’ll reckon I’ll be off them in a few weeks.
“It’s a shame I’ve missed a few good rides but the pain was getting to the unbearable stage. The operation was the only option open to me. I’m hoping to be back riding in the back part of the year.”
Yendall has ridden more than 21,200 winners including six Group 1s.
Tuvalu to Trentham?
Top Warrnambool galloper Tuvalu may be headed across the Tasman this summer, with trainer Lindsey Smith eyeing the Group 1 Thorndon Mile at Trentham in January.
Tuvalu, who hasn’t raced since winning the Wangoom Handicap at Warrnambool in May, has been spending the winter months at Toowoomba after a planned Queensland winter campaign was aborted.
Smith says he’s hopeful Tuvalu will be back in Warrnambool within a week or two.
“He’s had a really good break up north,” he said. “He got a bit of a virus early on so we just gave him a good break.
“It’s going to be a rush to get him ready for the Melbourne spring carnival so we’ll probably focus on the Thorndon Mile in New Zealand. I’m confident he’ll be suited to that race.”
Tuvalu is already a Group 1 winner, having taken the 2022 Toorak Hanidcap. The seven-year-old has won nine of 22 starts, earning just over $2 million.
See you next year
Terang was hosting a transferred Warrnambool meeting as Winning Post went to press on Thursday, but won’t race again until the traditional New Year’s Day meeting.
Terang Racing Club manager Karen Van Kempen said there was normally a Terang meeting in late November or early December but major track works are set to start within weeks.
“The track needs the works done and the spring is the ideal time to do them,” she said. “We’ll have everything ready for our New Year’s Day meeting.”
Meanwhile, Warrnambool Racing Club track and facilities manager Dermont O’Connor said the transfer of Thursday’s meeting would give the course proper a much needed rest after a dry winter.
“The transfer will enable us to get ready for the spring and summer racing period,” O’Connor said. “It also means we’ve advanced our scheduled light renovation — we started last Wednesday.”
Warrnambool’s next meeting is on Thursday September 12.
National beckons Doc
Veteran jumper Dr Dependable notched his first steeplechase victory on Sunday, winning the $60,000 Great Western Steeplechase at Casterton.
The Eric Musgrove-trained Dr Dependable ($31), with Irishman Cillin Leonard in the saddle, got up in the last few strides to beat Mighty Oasis in the jumps feature.
Musgrove said the 10-year-old might have a run in the Grand National Steeplechase at Ballarat on August 25.
“We’ll see how he pulls up,” he said. “It’s a serious option.
“He’s just a good, honest, sound jumper. He’s not as brilliant as a lot of them but he’s honest and sound.
“It was great to see Cillin get a good winner.
“He’s a hard worker and I think with a bit of time he’s going to develop into a good jumps jockey.”
Sunday’s victory saw Dr Dependable take his stake earnings to $416,485.
Gold Kuru
Aaaron Kuru took the riding honours with three winners at the Casterton meeting, all for Warrnambool trainers.
Kuru rode Maatsuyker ($5.50) to victory in a 0-114 hurdle for Tom Dabernig, Darts Daly ($2.50 favourite) for Symon Wilde in a highweight 0-58 sprint and Golden Garden ($2.50 favourite) for Wilde in a highweight 0-58 over 2000 metres.