Tommy Berry optimistic he will be back for the Golden Slipper after a fall at Randwick on Saturday

Tommy Berry is eyeing a return for the Golden Slipper after a fall at Randwick on Saturday left him with a neck injury.

Tommy Berry winning on Political Debate earlier in the program Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

CHAMPION jockey Tommy Berry is optimistic he will be back for the $5 million Golden Slipper despite suffering a serious neck injury after a race fall at Royal Randwick last Saturday.

Berry has fractured a vertebrae in his neck and has shoulder soreness after he was dislodged from his mount, Step Aside, near the 800m of the Stud And Stable Staff Awards Handicap.

Apprentice Teighan Worsnop was also flung to the turf from Shihab in the same incident and suffered mild concussion. Both riderless horses escaped injury in the race won by Yiska.

The three-time Golden Slipper-winning jockey was due to leave hospital on Sunday but doctors were conducting further tests during the afternoon.

“The doctor just told me that the original injury was wrongly diagnosed but I do have a vertebrae fracture,’’ Berry said.

The fall in the final event on Saturday Picture: Supplied

“I will need to keep a neck brace on for two weeks and then I will get some more scans done to see how the injury is healing.’’

Berry is confident he doesn’t have any fractures in his shoulder but will see a specialist on Tuesday.

“It’s been a bit of an ordeal today but I’m not complaining,’’ Berry said. “I know it could have been a lot worse.’’

Berry isn’t putting a time frame on when he will be fit to return to race riding but he’s still focused on being part of Sydney’s autumn carnival.

He is the regular rider of unbeaten colt Pallaton and Magic Millions winner O’ Ole, two of the leading chances for the world’s richest two-year-old race at Rosehill on March 22.

In early Golden Slipper betting, Pallaton is second faovurite at $11 and O’ Ole is at $21 behind Wodeton, the $4 favourite.

Racing NSW stewards have adjourned an inquiry into the cause of Saturday’s Randwick incident that resulted in Worsnop and then Berry being dislodged from the saddle.

Originally published as Tommy Berry optimistic he will be back for the Golden Slipper after a fall at Randwick on Saturday