Lacey Back in the Saddle for Cluden Return

Punters pin-up Lacey Morrison will make a low-key return to the saddle at Cluden Park on Friday after a four month stint on the sidelines with injury.

Morrison, the undisputed champion rider in the North for the past three seasons, has been recovering from a torn elbow tendon since early December.

The Tolga based 40-year-old mum used her time away from the track to complete nursing studies for a career after racing, and had her first ride back at Mareeba last week.

“It’s great to be back but I have to admit I’m pretty unfit,” Morrison said.

“I’ve just finished my nursing placement. I wasn’t really keeping up with my fitness because I was buggered from the very long days.

“I started riding track work a couple of weeks ago and I’m getting back into it. I’ve been given the clearance to take one ride, then two rides and slowly increase it and I’m pretty happy with that.

“It seems a shame I can only ride a couple this week with so many races but that’s how it is.”

Normally in hot demand with a full book of rides, Morrison will have just two mounts on Friday’s 10-race card.

She has been booked for the Graham Hughes-trained Talons in the Hygain BM85 Hcp (1000m) and Miss Seattle for Georgie Holt in the Cluden Park BM70 Hcp (1200m).

The highly talented hoop, who made a comeback to the saddle in 2021, finished last season on a career high with 101 winners.

But a niggling elbow injury progressively worsened and eventually led to specialist advice in early December to take time out to recover.

“I had a partial tear in the tendon in my elbow. Just from horses pulling. There was one day where two horses hung out really badly and that probably did it,” Morrison said.

“I kept riding and didn’t think too much of it. A few months later after seeing a doctor and then a physio I got an ultra sound and there was a tear.

“I thought I’d keep riding and manage it but it got too painful. The specialist said surgery could be 50-50, and that there was probably no point. I just had to take time off to allow it to recover.

“He basically said you’re doing the work of a 20 year-old as a 40yo and you just need to manage it.

“I’ll be reducing my workload anyway because I won’t be riding work anymore. I want to get a nursing job and that will be my priority and I’ll just race ride around that.

“That’s my plan.

“I’ve finished the nursing course and I’m just waiting for my registration to come through. I’m extremely relieved with that after the past few years of study and placements.”

Morrison has even surprised herself with her success since making her latest comeback in 2021 after suffering life threatening injuries in a series of falls earlier in her career.

She quickly rose to the top of the northern riding ranks, claiming three premierships on the trot in Townsville and Cairns.

Cracking 100 wins for the season, all of which came on tracks from Townsville north, came as a personal triumph.

She made another brilliant start to the current season with 45 winners at a strike rate of 25% before being forced on the sidelines.

But her time as a jockey was always meant to be means to an end, while she studied to become a nurse.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better return. When I was talking about coming back I was thinking I’d be happy riding 50 winners a season. So I’ve definitely exceeded my expectations for sure,” Morrison said.

“I plan to ride when I can but obviously nursing will be the priority. 

“I foresee race riding continuing for probably 18 months, that’s my most likely end date. It’ll just depend on the nursing and what happens with that.

“All I wanted to do was be a jockey and I’ve done that all my working life. I’ve also had various jobs in the racing industry but I need a new career and nursing is definitely it.”