Racing: Cameron recovers to ride Hasselhoof

Matthew Cameron.

Ruakaka's cult gelding Hasselhoof will retain the services of top jockey Matthew Cameron this Saturday as it takes on the Listed $125,000 Parramatta Cup (1900m) at Rosehill.

Cameron was knocked unconscious in a spectacular fall at Matamata on Sunday, when dislodged from Pentire Babe while leading the field.

Given the all clear to return to the saddle by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing's medical advisor Dr Phil White, Cameron said he was feeling "surprisingly good" after the gallant tumble.

"My neck's a little bit stiff, and I've got a few grazes on my face, but other than that I'm okay and have been moving around pretty well," he said.

"I'm lucky that nothing is broken and it's good to come out unscathed."

He now expects to ride in New Zealand tomorrow before heading to Sydney to try to help Hasselhoof restore some of his lost reputation in Saturday's Parramatta Cup.

Hasselhoof suffered his first defeat in seven starts when beaten out of a place as a short-priced favourite at Randwick on his Australian debut.

The 4-year-old has 55.5kg in Saturday's Listed race and Cameron expects Australian racegoers to catch the best of a horse rated as one of the most promising in New Zealand.

"He obviously needed that run the other day... he was a bit above himself," Cameron said.

"By all accounts he is thriving and I think the real Hasselhoof will turn up on the weekend."

The Parramatta Cup is the lesser of four stakes races at Rosehill, but recent results have made it a solid reference point for better races during the autumn carnival.

Vision And Power came through as the winner of the 2009 edition to claim the Doncaster Mile four starts later.

And the 2014 runner-up Carlton House figured at weight-for-age at his next two starts with placings in the Ranvet Stakes and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Among Hasselhoof's expected rivals will be Libran, who finished in front of the Kiwi in an eye-catching Australian debut at Randwick.