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Maddy Wishart returns from long injury lay-off

12 February 2021

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R3-Archer-s-Paradox-David-Murphy-Madeleine-Wishart-6.jpgBy Jordan Gerrans 

Apprentice hoop Madeleine Wishart has made the most of an unfortunate situation.

And, she believes it is the best thing that could have happened for her riding career.

The 23-year-old will this Saturday have her first race rides back since late September of last year following a fall at Toowoomba.

Wishart came off Alert And Ready at Toowoomba, suffering a dislocated and fractured elbow, as well as tearing the MCL in her knee.

“I was just coming to the turn at Toowoomba and one of the other jockeys came out in front of me when he when he was not clear,” she recalled.

“Mine just lost its feet and went down and I have just gone straight over the top of it.”

A long stint on the sidelines and extensive rehabilitation followed.

But she thinks in the long run it will help her career as a jockey go to the next level in Queensland.

“It has been a long time, but it has done me good,” she said.

“I am in a much better head space now and I feel like I am more dedicated now than what I was beforehand.

“It has probably been good in the end, what has happened.

“I was probably not as dedicated as what I should have been before the fall but now, I am putting 100% everything into my racing.

“I am excited for tomorrow.”

Despite the bad injuries she suffered, Wishart dodged surgery.

In the first few months of her recovery, she took it easy on her body to rest while going to the physiotherapist.

In recent weeks, Wishart, who will claim 1.5 kgs on Saturday at Rockhampton, has increased her physical load, including boxing sessions and personal training every day to get her weight down and improve her fitness levels.

Madeleine Wishart Next Racing

Her weight got up to 58-60kg when on the sidelines but is optimistic it will not be a worry from Saturday onwards.

“The weight has been coming off pretty easily,” she said.

It will be a big Saturday for the apprentice, riding gallops at Eagle Farm and Doomben in the morning before flying to Rockhampton.

She has five rides locked in for the Beef capital of Australia, including Daunting Queen for Bundaberg trainer Mary Hassam, who she has won on earlier in her career.

Wishart is completing her apprenticeship with Kevin Kemp at Toowoomba.

In 2019, she was Queensland's nominated rider for the apprentice’s race at Strathalbyn in South Australia.

Meanwhile, Rockhampton will be represented on Saturday at Doomben as reigning Rockhampton Cup winner Absolut Artie carries the top-weight in the No Metro Wins Handicap (1350m).

Experienced hoop Ryan Wiggins will partner Absolut Artie, after the duo claimed last year’s Rockhampton Cup together.