Jockey, horse escape after nasty fall in dramatic $1m race
Updated . First published at
James McDonald didn’t even have to change his silks to win back-to-back races on Derby Day, backing up his win in the Derby by winning the Empire Rose Stakes on short favourite Lady Shenandoah half an hour later.
But the race was marred by a heavy fall for Pondalowie and jockey Harry Coffey at the top of the straight.
Harry Coffey after falling off Pondalowie. Nine
It’s unclear what triggered the fall, but Pondalowie and Coffey were the only two involved.
Tony Jones reported on Nine’s coverage Coffey walked into the jockeys’ room without major assistance and Pondalowie also passed preliminary vet exams.
Cameras captured Coffey wincing in pain and grabbing at his shoulder, with reports since filtering through that he has a suspected fractured collarbone.
The injury would rule Coffey out of the Melbourne Cup, where he was due to ride Shockletz in the $10 million race on Tuesday.
After superstar jockey McDonald won the Derby on Stormy Marco, punters jumped on Lady Shenandoah, who shortened to $1.80 at the jump.
The $1 million Empire Rose win was J-Mac’s third of the day, and came in almost identical circumstances to that of the Derby.
Having sat in the pack for much of the distance, McDonald and Lady Shenandoah found space at the top of the straight and hit the front with 300m to go.
And like in the Derby, she was at a canter when she crossed the line to win by two lengths over Concord Connie (Charlotte Littlefield) and Idle Flyer (Matthew Smith).
