FNQ apprentice hoop set for return after lengthy injury lay-off

By Jordan Gerrans

FNQ apprentice hoop Krysten Swaffer says she is feeling “strong and excited” ahead of her return to race riding on Thursday afternoon at Cannon Park.

The 24-year-old has been on the sidelines for much of the middle and later stages of 2022 after enduring a fall at Townsville’s Cluden Park in early April.

The lightweight rider previously suffered a collarbone break back in 2020 and broke the bone again in the fall.

While she was away from the saddle, Swaffer also went through a full shoulder reconstruction.

The Cairns-based jockeys return on Thursday afternoon is six months to the day since she went under the knife on her troublesome collarbone and shoulder.

Indentured to the Peter and Trevor Rowe training partnership, Swaffer will ease back into her race riding, take just two on Thursday, while she aims to slowly build back up.  

“I was expecting it to take a bit longer to get back to race riding but all the scans looked good and the physio was happy with the way it was,” she said on Wednesday morning after finishing track work.

“I started back on light duties for a month or so and slowly built into it.

“It was a slow process of easing back into it.

“The physios told me to be really patient and take my time with it, which I did, too slowly build the muscles back up.”

The youngster had a strong 2020-21 campaign before facing a tough run of injuries, riding 31 winners in that season.

The Rowes are happy to have their apprentice back, not just for race riding, but for all the gallopers that need to get worked in the morning, as well.

“It is extremely exciting to see the return to race riding of our stable apprentice Krysten Swaffer, who is back after a long injury lay-off,” co-trainer Peter said.

“What better way to kick off then on her old faithful Desert Cowboy.”

The Rowe camp have been in top form on their home track of late, preparing a winning treble at Cannon Park late last month.

The team present with seven chances across the program on Thursday.

Swaffer is booked to ride the old and new of the stable: partnering Desert Cowboy in the Open Handicap as well as Talk Crazy in the maiden.

Sprinter Desert Cowboy is a war horse for the stable, winning on 15 occasions across his career, which includes nine at Cannon Park, as well as 11 other minor placings at the track. 

The gelding is a favourite of Swaffer’s.

“Cowboy is one of my mates, I have been with him for over three years now so I know him inside and out,” Swaffer said.

“I am happy he is my first ride back.”

The younger sister of former jockey Braydn Swaffer – Krysten – is hopeful of taking as many as three or four rides at next Saturday’s Atherton non-TAB meeting as her comeback ramps up.

“The shoulder is feeling good,” she said.

“I am very excited to get back out there and on Thursday morning, no doubt I will start to feel a little nervous about being back.

“The biggest thing coming back was my legs, it took a good month for them to stop burning before every horse I rode (laughs).”

Four-year-old mare Talk Crazy will have her first start for the training partnership on Thursday after a short spell in the paddock.

Talk Crazy previously had two runs for Trevor before the training partnership was officially formed.

“I have been riding her work this prep since I have been back and she is really lovely,” Swaffer said of Talk Crazy.

“I am glad I have two horses that I know quite well coming back into the first day.”