TASMANIA’S leading jockey Brendon McCoull is likely to be denied his 13th premiership after suffering a fractured collarbone as a result of what looked a harmless fall behind the barriers at Tattersall’s Park in Hobart last Sunday.
McCoull was dumped from Streetwise Savoire as it was about to be loaded into the barriers.
The horse suffered a minor leg injury and was withdrawn and despite McCoull feeling pain in his left shoulder and arm he continued to ride in another three races that included a win aboard Peggyichi.
He was taken to a hospital for X-rays of his left arm and shoulder that night but was advised there were no breaks however a visit to his own doctor yesterday morning resulted in a different diagnosis.
“I was pleased on Sunday night when I was told there were no breaks but the next day I was still feeling a lot of pain and more than if it was soft tissue damage so I made an appointment to see my own doctor,” McCoull said.
“After he had looked at my X-Rays he told me I definitely had a fractured collarbone so needless to say I was more than a bit ticked off, given the first diagnosis said there were no breaks” he said.
It is a sad end to the season for McCoull who fought his way back to the top of the premiership table after missing the entire Tasmanian summer racing carnival in January-February as a result of fracturing his right collarbone and shoulder in a race fall in Launceston early January.
McCoull has ridden 64 winners this season and he was aiming to win his 13th premiership and held a 2-1/2 win lead over archrival Stephen Maskiell with only three meetings remaining.
The battle for the title will now rests with Maskiell ands visiting Victorian jockey Anthony Darmanin who has had a stellar season riding 58 winners including the AAMI Launceston Cup aboard Prevailing.
Only 3-1/2 wins separate Maskiell and Darmanin and both look to have some handy rides at Devonport on Sunday.