EVERY picture tells a story!
And this one above sure warms the heart.
Locky Scorse bounced out of bed early last Tuesday morning for a very important reason.
The 20-year-old Newcastle apprentice was understandably chomping at the bit to get back in the saddle just under 12 months after a near fatal fall at Taree on October 29 last year (when three other jockeys also fell in a chain reaction) only four months into his riding career.
The fourth generation jockey, who suffered two bleeds on the brain and a stroke when his mount Balzando crashed near the 500m in the Class 3 Handicap (1262m) and was subsequently euthanased, rode a pony in the early hours before most of us had even surfaced.
“Locky’s smile was priceless, and it’s a very important part of his rehabilitation and recovery,” his mother Lara told Provincial RacingNSW.
“Locky is still not allowed to ride a racehorse yet as a critical part of rehab, but will ride his master David Atkins’ pony in a stock saddle in the bull ring in the centre of Broadmeadow racecourse two to three mornings a week under strict supervision.
“He gets up at 3.30am to do this before the main part of the morning trackwork session begins.
“Locky is allowed walking or trotting the pony only for a few minutes at a time for up to an hour to help build muscle.
“As a result of the stroke, he still has some spasticity in his left wrist and left leg, and will soon have Botox which they believe will remedy both situations.”
Scorse made his debut as a 19-year-old, after competing in “about 80 barrier trials”, at Tuncurry on July 1 and two days later, having only his fourth ride, won his first race when he led throughout on Atkins’ horse Rockbarton Roman in a Class 3 Handicap (1450m).
He had tallied six winners – the others were Assiduity (Taree on July 6), Vocation (Grafton, July 12), Austeja (Taree, August 18), Lucifer’s Reward (Kempsey, August 28) and Hide Your Heart at Scone on September 5 – at the time of his fall.
“Westpac Rescue Helicopter staff saved Locky’s life and airlifted him in a critical condition to the John Hunter Hospital at Newcastle,” Lara Scorse said.
“He spent 23 days there; the first three in intensive care and the remainder in the high observation unit.
“Then he was transferred to the Rankin Park Rehab Hospital for a further week.
“Locky spent four to six weeks as an in-patient at the Hunter Brain Injury Unit at Bar Beach, and is now an out-patient.
“They have done an outstanding job to help him in his recovery.
“The prognosis was 2-4 years to fully recover and a gap year was advised, knowing jockeys get rare opportunities for holidays when riding.
“He has been to the United States of America, the Gold Coast, Brisbane for the rugby league Magic Round, and is currently spending a few days in Fiji with his girlfriend Macey Howlett (daughter of trainer Todd) to help celebrate her 21st birthday.
“Locky and Macey decided to get a golden retriever puppy (Bear) earlier this year to keep Locky active and busy.
“The Howlett family has also been a terrific help to Locky, and he goes to the Sydney meetings whenever Todd has a runner.”
Lara Scorse says Locky is so determined to ride again.
“It’s a long slow process, but his first goal is to get back riding trackwork,” she said.
“Riding horses like his late great grandfather Roy Hinton and late grandfather Alan Scorse and his father Mathew is all he has ever wanted to do.
“Locky is doing everything his specialists are asking him to do.
“He wants to stay involved in racing, and has other things in mind if he can’t return to riding in races.
“He has ideas of being a jockey’s manager, and also has just begun a Trainer’s Course as another important facet of his recovery.
“Locky has had such fantastic support from the racing industry, including Trent Langlands, personal trainer to a number of leading Sydney jockeys, who devised an exercise program for him.
“Newcastle Jockey Club racecourse manager Chris Nation makes his “mechanical horse” available in his garage for Locky to ride regularly under the supervision of specialists from the Brain Injury Unit.
“Kris Lees’ foreman Cameren Swan (former jockey) asked his good mate, Brisbane jockey Michael Rodd, to speak with Locky, and he has been a tremendous help.
“Michael spent a few years out of the saddle because of post-concussion syndrome (and was told on many occasions that his riding career was over), and his advice to Locky has been invaluable.”
HOOFNOTE: Locky Scorse, accompanied by his father Mathew, has returned to the scene of his fall at Taree with no adverse reaction (he doesn’t remember anything at all about it).
And Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service has invited him, as a survivor, to be a guest speaker at the charity race day at Newcastle Golf Club on the eve of Newcastle Jockey Club’s metropolitan Saturday stand-alone meeting the following day, featuring the $1m Group 2 The Hunter (1300m).
Story John Curtis, October 28, 2024 - Pics supplied
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