Racing: Apprentice back in saddle after breaking both legs

Matamata apprentice Troy Harris will resume race riding at Otaki today, his first taste of racing since he broke both legs in a fall at Wairoa in February.

Harris is booked for two rides at Otaki, having already proved at Monday's Taupo trials that his fitness and mercurial talent were both restored.

Harris, 17, gained trial wins on the Mark Walker-trained pair, Ulmer and Pins'ntonic, and afterwards declared himself ready to resume race riding today.

"I've been going to the gym and biking to work, and I don't get any pain riding," Harris said. "I've been back riding trackwork for three weeks and I just want to get back into it."

Harris' rehabilitation has involved intensive physiotherapy and gym work to regain strength in his legs.

He will have metal rods in his legs removed next winter.

Harris, the son of veteran jockey Noel Harris, also hopes to ride at Ellerslie on Saturday and has the apprentice premiership on his list of goals for the season.

- NZPA