By Jordan Gerrans
Montana Philpot wanted to make a statement in her return.
And, so far, the promising apprentice hoop has certainly done that.
The 23-year-old returned to the saddle on race day for the first time in almost a year earlier this month.
At just her second meeting back in her comeback, Philpot piloted a winning treble at Rockhampton’s Callaghan Park.
And, with a strong book of rides in Central Queensland again on Thursday, the Sunshine Coast-based rider is optimistic she can keep the positive results coming.
“I definitely wanted with my return this time to come back with a bang and make a bit of a statement,” Philpot said on Wednesday morning after finishing work at Corbould Park.
“It is hard when you are out because when you come back, trainers and owners need to reward the jockeys that have helped them out and had been loyal to them lately.
“So, I definitely wanted to come back with a bang to help my riding opportunities going forward.
“Hopefully this can highlight that I am back, back in form and keen to get it all going again.”
The lightweight youngster has battled through a tough spell with injuries over the past year.
Philpot suffered a fall at the Sunshine Coast in late April of last year where she broke both collarbones, suffered four breaks in her pelvis, broke a rib and had a collapsed lung.
Once she had eventually recovered from those serious ailments and was back at work for two weeks, disaster struck again.
Philpot - who works for leading provincial trainer Stuart Kendrick - broke one of her collarbones again in a track work tumble.
After returning to race riding almost 12 months to the day from her last public appearance at Corbould Park at Caloundra, Philpot took her time with her recovery to ensure she was ready to return in the best possible way.