Jockey Tommy Berry ‘very lucky’ after escaping fall with neck fracture

A stewards’ inquiry into the fall was adjourned. Chris Waller-trained Step Aside was found to have a laceration to its near hind inner thigh and was treated on course. Glen Milligan-trained Shihab appeared uninjured.

Berry, a 34-time group 1 winner, could miss at least part of the Sydney autumn carnival.

The three-time Golden Slipper winner, who turned 34 last week, appeared set to ride Michael Freedman-trained Pallaton in the $5 million feature for two-year-olds on March 22.

He also rode another contender, O’ Ole, to victory for Bjorn Baker in the $3 million Magic Millions Classic on the Gold Coast on January 17.

On that day, jockeys Blake Spriggs and Beany Panya were involved in a horror fall at Moruya.

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Spriggs sustained multiple fractures, brain bleeds and major internal injuries. He remained intubated in Canberra Hospital.

His sister, Dimitee, provided an update on Sunday: “Blake remains in a stable condition in the ICU however he is currently fighting an ongoing infection. Despite this challenge, doctors remain positive about his progress as he is making small but steady steps forward in his recovery.”

Panya, who had surgery on two fractured vertebrae, remained stable and awaiting transfer to Sydney Hospital on Saturday.