Jockey Jeff Syster is probably lucky to have escaped with a fractured collar-bone after appearing to clip heels and falling heavily from the filly Alabama Storm shortly after the start of the fourth race at the Vaal on Thursday.
A pick-up ride, Alabama Storm jumped from a wide gate and appeared to be pulling hard as she ran onto the heels of another runner in the 1450m Maiden Plate. She is known to be a difficult ride. Syster was originally carded to ride Green Bubbles, which was subsequently scratched.
Tex Lerena kindly confirmed the injury to the Sporting Post and said that he would provide an update as and when any news becomes available.