Jamie Kah returns with two seconds in first four rides back from suspension

Jamie Kah returned to the track following her ban for a Covid breach and while the record-breaking jockey didn’t win, it was a huge step forward.

Jockey Jamie Kah arriving at Mornington on Friday for her return to racing. Picture: Michael Klein

It wasn’t the fairytale comeback she hoped for — but at least she’s back.

Jamie Kah, who was outed for three months for breaking Covid-19 rules, returned with two seconds on favourites Inner Spirit and Dawn County at Mornington on Friday.

She then drove the 85km — about a 1½ hour drive — to The Valley for two unplaced rides on Friday night.

While she was winless, her return to the races was feted by “Joe the Punter”.

“What are we on?” one asked mates at Mornington as jockeys mounted horses in the pre-parade.

“The six, Jamie.”

No last surname necessary, they all knew where to look.

So too others around the enclosure, blurting out welcoming “Go Jamie” greetings.

after riding Inner Spirit at Mornington. Picture: Michael Klein

Kah, who went from star to champion and record-breaker as the first jockey in Victorian racing history last season to ride more than 100 city winners, played statue on horseback.

She went from relaxed and chatty, exchanging pleasantries with trainers and their owners before her select races, to laser focused.

Despite missing three months the trademark Kah balance and style was there for all to see as she gave each of her rides every chance.

The horses, unfortunately, would find one or more better on the day.

Jamie Kah returns to scale aboard China Affair at The Valley on Friday night. Picture: Getty Images

Inner Spirit, her first ride back, raced keenly and despite pinching a break at the top of the straight would be mown down by Gorgonado and beaten 1¼ lengths.

All the jockeys in the race wore black armbands in tribute to fellow rider Chris Caserta who tragically drowned on the Gold Coast Wednesday night.

In her second and only other ride at Mornington, Kah again gave $2 favourite Dawn County every chance but the horse wasn’t good enough going down to second favourite Aravene.

Dawn County, trained by her fiance Clayton Douglas, settled third on the fence before Kah pushed out rounding the corner.

It again looked like Kah’s mount was going to win but Aravene kicked strongly and held off Dawn County by more than two lengths.

Jamie Kah with fiance Clayton Douglas after her second ride back at Mornington. Picture: Michael Klein

The popular hoop had plenty of support in the crowd at The Valley on Friday night.

Dirty Deeds, a $10 chance, ran fourth behind Exeter after racing wide.

Douglas-trained China Affair, a $7 chance, finished sixth behind bolter Aminatu and never looked a winning chance.

Before her first ride back at Mornington, Kah was relaxed in the pre-parade, happily chatting to owners.

She looked a little flustered when she was legged aboard but straight after the race it was business as usual when she did a video report for the owners of Inner Spirit, which is trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.

Douglas said at Mornington that it was “good to get her (Kah) back” to the races.

Jamie Kah finished fourth on Dirty Deeds at The Valley. Picture: Getty Images

Kah did not speak to media on Friday with her manager saying she is purely focused on race riding.

She has a some great chances to bounce back into the winner’s circle on Saturday with five rides at Pakenham on Saturday — all of which are $5 or shorter in the market.

Kah missed the spring carnival through suspension for breaching curfew laws at an illegal party in August but has been hard at work at the Bradlee Park property she is establishing with Douglas.

Her ban expired last week but a broken nose delayed her return.

Earlier this week, Maher told News Corp Australia he had no hesitation “at all” booking the Scobie Breasley medallist.

Jamie Kah arrives on course at Mornington. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

Kah piloted a Victorian record 105 city winners last season to eclipse the mark Brett Prebble set (99.5) in the 1999/00 season.

“She’s done what she’s done for a reason, we’re happy to have her on,” Maher said.

“I think it was an absolute joke they (jockeys involved) got that amount of time off, anyway.

“She’s a resilient, strong woman. It’s pretty obvious from what she’s done (riding feats).”

Originally published as Jamie Kah returns with two seconds in first four rides back from suspension