AS THE leading apprentice rider, Jake Noonan knows the value of patience, so don't expect to see him at the track too often over the next few weeks. ''I don't want to miss it too much, so I'll stay away and keep busy doing other things,'' the 18-year-old said yesterday, reports The Age. It says: It is now a month since Noonan's career, and indeed his life, were in the balance after he crashed head-first into the turf at Flemington in a sickening race fall. He does not remember the anxious three
AS THE leading apprentice rider, Jake Noonan knows the value of patience, so don't expect to see him at the track too often over the next few weeks. ''I don't want to miss it too much, so I'll stay away and keep busy doing other things,'' the 18-year-old said yesterday, reports The Age.
It says: It is now a month since Noonan's career, and indeed his life, were in the balance after he crashed head-first into the turf at Flemington in a sickening race fall. He does not remember the anxious three days that followed as he suffered bleeding to the brain, but he was happy to report yesterday that he felt as good as ever despite having to sit on the sidelines.
''I really feel back to 100 per cent both physically and mentally, but one thing I am really aware of is rushing back too quickly, so I'll take it step by step and start with light duties around the stable later this month,'' the son of Mornington trainer Tony Noonan said. ''I went to Seymour on Monday to catch up with a few friends but I'm trying to not get too involved as I'll just miss it too much.''
In just two years, Noonan has become the leading apprentice rider in Victoria and he planned to ride for the Andrew Balding stable in England this winter. But everything was put on hold when he crashed off the not-so-aptly named Safe at Flemington. In just two seasons, Noonan has ridden 156 winners. This season, he is easily the leading apprentice rider and is in fifth position overall with 37 Melbourne wins.