Matt Cameron
Trish Dunell
Just 24 hours after securing a brilliant Group One victory aboard outstanding three-year-old Xtravagant, regular pilot Matt Cameron could now be in doubt for the ride on the glamour colt in the prestigious Australian Guineas after taking a nasty tumble at Matamata.
Cameron was riding Pentire Babe in the first race on Sunday when the mare appeared to shy approaching the crossing out of the straight the first time, jinking right and dislodging Cameron who made heavy contact with the ground before finishing prone under the running rail.
Cameron was reportedly knocked unconscious in the fall with medical personnel following in the ambulance quickly on hand to tend to the stricken rider. Cameron was fitted with a neck brace and placed on a stretcher but was conscious and moving both his arms and legs as he was placed in the ambulance before being transferred to hospital for observation.
Details of Cameron's condition remain unknown however the New Zealand Racing Integrity Unit's Co-chief Stipendiary Steward, Ross Neal, confirmed that should Cameron have sustained a concussion in the incident he would have to pass a standard concussion test before being allowed to ride again.
"Our protocols are very similar to a number of major sporting codes now with all of our jockeys having taken and passed a standard concussion test with those results held by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing as a baseline for each individual," he explained.
"Should a rider suffer a concussion they must firstly be cleared by their regular doctor to undertake a further test which is then administered by NZTR's medical personnel and compared with their baseline result to determine if a clearance to ride can be provided."
Neal indicated that until Cameron's condition was confirmed any need for the test was pure speculation.
The Gr. 1 Australian Guineas will be run at Flemington on Saturday the 5th of March. – NZ Racing Desk
Cameron was riding Pentire Babe in the first race on Sunday when the mare appeared to shy approaching the crossing out of the straight the first time, jinking right and dislodging Cameron who made heavy contact with the ground before finishing prone under the running rail.
Cameron was reportedly knocked unconscious in the fall with medical personnel following in the ambulance quickly on hand to tend to the stricken rider. Cameron was fitted with a neck brace and placed on a stretcher but was conscious and moving both his arms and legs as he was placed in the ambulance before being transferred to hospital for observation.
Details of Cameron's condition remain unknown however the New Zealand Racing Integrity Unit's Co-chief Stipendiary Steward, Ross Neal, confirmed that should Cameron have sustained a concussion in the incident he would have to pass a standard concussion test before being allowed to ride again.
"Our protocols are very similar to a number of major sporting codes now with all of our jockeys having taken and passed a standard concussion test with those results held by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing as a baseline for each individual," he explained.
"Should a rider suffer a concussion they must firstly be cleared by their regular doctor to undertake a further test which is then administered by NZTR's medical personnel and compared with their baseline result to determine if a clearance to ride can be provided."
Neal indicated that until Cameron's condition was confirmed any need for the test was pure speculation.
The Gr. 1 Australian Guineas will be run at Flemington on Saturday the 5th of March. – NZ Racing Desk