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Montana Philpot back with a bang

26 April 2023

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Promising apprentice hoop Montana Philpot.
Stuart Kendrick Next Racing
Garnett Taylor Next Racing

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.

Promising apprentice hoop Montana Philpot.

“I took my time with it all and I am feeling really good,” she said.

“Everything feels great and none of it worries me any more.

“I am feeling fit and good. I am super excited to be back and eager to do it. I am so happy to be back.”

Philpot announced her return in style last Thursday at Rockhampton, collecting three winners, with two coming from the stable of Garnett Taylor, who has been a long-term supporter of the apprentice hoop.

“It is a long journey when you are coming back from a recovery like that with an injury,” she said.

“It felt like finally all the hard work and physio and everything had paid off.

“It was the best feeling in the world to bring it home with a few winners. It was great.”

Philpot heads back to Central Queensland this Thursday – this time riding at Mackay – and will again team up with the Taylor barn.

She will take four rides for Taylor as well as one for Kerrod Smyth across the program. 

Experienced sprinter Bold Style resumes in the Open Handicap over 1050 metres with Philpot recently partnering the gelding in a trial at Caloundra.

“I have won on Bold Style before so I am thinking he will be a good chance this week,” she said.

“I have had a bit to do with Bold Pedro as well – jump-outs and trials – so I think he will be handy.

“I have got a good list of horses for Thursday.”

Philpot returns to Rockhampton on Sunday for rides on the big program that is headlined by the second running of The Archer.

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