Racing: Apprentice must wait

Taranaki apprentice jockey Vanessa Johnston will not resume riding this week as had been hoped.

Johnston fractured her arm in a fall from a young horse last month and last week received a clearance from her doctor to resume riding at Wanganui tomorrow.

She had returned to riding trackwork last week in preparation for her return to raceday competition but a New Plymouth surgeon who examined Johnston yesterday instructed her not to get on a horse for at least another three weeks.

Johnston's mother Tracey said: "The specialist said there is a problem with the elbow joint. She's had her arm put in a sling and it will be the last week of the season (July) at the earliest before she is back."

Johnston has won 37 races this season.

- NZPA