LEADING Wodonga jockey Nick Souquet is nearing a comeback after suffering a fractured thumb.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Souquet suffered the injury when he was dislodged from his mount in the mounting yard at Tatura on April 19.
He rode in pain at Wagga, Canberra and Wangaratta the following week before undergoing an MRI scan that revealed the extent of the injury.
He had surgery at St Vincent’s Private Hospital in Melbourne early last month and has been sidelined since.
“The specialist is hopeful that I should be able to start riding trackwork again on July 14,” Souquet said.
“He was very happy with my recovery and said the fracture appeared to be very stable and gave me a splint which I will have to wear when riding for at least three months.”
Souquet won the Southern District jockeys premiership last season and was having another successful season.
He rides about the 55-kilogram mark and has had to work hard to fit while on the sidelines.
“I’ve been out for seven weeks but have been able to keep my weight under control by going to the gym five times a week,” he said.
“I thought if I let myself get any heavier than 61 kilograms, it would be a real battle to get back to my riding weight.
“I was walking around at about 60½ kilograms, which is manageable.”
Souquet said he was itching to get back into the saddle.
“It’s been good to have a bit of a freshen up but I’m really starting to miss riding now,” he said.
“It was all right for the first couple of weeks but it gets a bit boring.
“I’ve been on a few fishing trips and gone to watch Corowa-Rutherglen play a couple of times, but I can’t wait to get back riding.”