Brandon Lerena – out for six to eight weeks
Jockey Brandon Lerena confirms that he expects to be sidelined for around 6 to 8 weeks after undergoing surgery to resolve a nagging foot injury.
Following successful surgery last week, Lerena said: “I had a bone removed from behind my Achilles tendons that was causing pain and pressure on the tendons (tendinitis). It’s commonly referred to as ‘pump bumps’ from riding and overuse. The doctor said the tendons were not compromised in the operation because he had done key-hole surgery. And the recovery period is normally around 6 to 8 weeks.”
Lerena is back at home, enjoying the support of family and friends, and hopes to be back in the saddle soon.
Meanwhile KZN-based apprentice Divan Neethling is recovering in hospital after breaking his arm in a nasty incident in the starting stalls of the first race of the Greyville race meeting on Friday night.
Neethling’s mount Latino Heat, who escaped uninjured, seemed to get a fright when the neighbouring horse hit the front of its gate and he then appeared to try and leap through the top part of the gate, losing his footing in the process.
Divan Neethling – broke his arm
Neethling’s arm reportedly has a clean break and he will likely be out for six to eight weeks.
The meeting had been delayed by a power failure reportedly caused by a fault in the sub station behind Greyville.
There was then a further delay as the ambulance had to leave the course to transport the injured rider. However, the last six races of the eight-race meeting were completed.
The racecourse floodlights at Greyville are not connected to a generator due to the enormous expense of such an undertaking, as it would either require one massive generator, or a generator apiece for every three to four lights.
However, a UPS system keeps the lights on for about four minutes after a power failure to ensure that they would never go out during a race.
www.goldcircle.co.za
