Michael Cahill thanks his lucky stars after frightful fall from Artlee

MICHAEL Cahill was feeling “stiff and sore” on Sunday after his fall from Artlee in the BTC Cup, but he has been given the all clear to ride this Saturday.

Scary: The moment just before Michael Cahill falls from Artlee, with Delectation getting his head on his outside and Two Blue just in front. Picture: Grant Peters, Trackside Photography

MICHAEL Cahill was feeling “stiff and sore” on Sunday after his fall from Artlee in the BTC Cup, but he has been given the all clear to ride and will be a definite starter at Doomben this Saturday.

The veteran rider counted himself lucky to escape serious injury after Artlee was jammed up on to the rail, causing Cahill to take a heavy tumble.

Cahill was left concussed and had little recollection of the incident, but he watched a replay on Sunday morning.

“I had a CAT scan on Saturday night and that came up all clear. I’m a bit stiff and sore but I can probably count myself pretty lucky,” Cahill said.

“I will make a final decision (Monday) but I will most probably ride on Wednesday and I will definitely be right for Saturday.”

Cahill has the ride on dual Hollindale winner Leebaz in the Doomben Cup and will also ride a two-year-old for the Hawkes stable in the Hampden Stakes.

He was presented with a dilemma on Sunday when trainer Todd Willan made the call to back up Artlee in the BRC Sprint. Cahill was originally set to ride Trubia in the race.

Willan is concerned Artlee may miss the final cut for the Doomben 10,000 field and is keen to get his rating up ahead of Stradbroke weights being released.

“He walked out sound and ate everything (Saturday night) so he seems to have come through the run unscathed,” Willan said.

“I’ve never backed him up before but I’ve never been worried about it. He’s always fresh in himself and it might just take the edge off him because he’s such a headstrong horse.”

Having watched the replay, Cahill believes Artlee is a genuine Stradbroke contender if he can make the field.

“He just couldn’t go early and in hindsight he would have probably been better drawing 10 than inside,” Cahill said. “He will improve significantly when he gets on to the bigger track.”

Jockey Michael Cahill is attended to after coming off Artlee. Picture: Jono Searle

Originally published as Michael Cahill thanks his lucky stars after frightful fall from Artlee