Joe Bowditch, Chris Caserta sidelined with neck fractures after shocking fall at Sale

Joe Bowditch will be out of action for up to three months after secondary scans revealed a “stable” fracture in his neck and a fractured left clavicle following a horror midweek fall at Sale.

Joe Bowditch will be out of action for up to three months after secondary scans revealed a “stable” fracture in his neck and a fractured left clavicle.

Bowditch was initially cleared of bone damage following Wednesday’s horrific fall at Sale.

But further scans uncovered structural damage in addition to significant soft tissue soreness.

Stream over 50 sports live & anytime on your TV or favourite device with KAYO SPORTS. The biggest Aussie sports and the best from overseas. Just $25/month. No lock-in contract. Get your 14 day free trial >

Joe Bowditch will miss the early part of the spring after being injured at Sale. Picture: AAP

Chris Caserta will be sidelined for up to six weeks after scans confirmed the apprentice has a fractured C5 veterbrae, bruised lungs and concussion.

Caserta and Bowditch were the most seriously injured at Sale, where Michael Walker and Thomas Stockdale also came to grief.

Caserta was flown to Melbourne after his mount Cases Dream fell, bringing down Signorelli (Bowditch) and Be Amazing (Stockdale) and causing Walker to be dislodged from Grey Lord near the 600m mark.

Worth every cent these helmets! Here’s @CCasertaJockey helmet from his fall today@Racing @JockeysTrust @JockeysAssoc pic.twitter.com/4FTRM4fjir

— Adam McGrath (@AdamMcGrath89) July 31, 2019

Stockdale spent a night in the Gippsland Base Hospital with a fractured left foot. He was cleared of back and neck injury.

Walker rode at Ballarat on Friday.

All four horses involved in the Sale incident were not seriously injured but will need veterinary clearances before racing again.

Racing Victoria stewards have adjourned an inquiry into the fall to a date to be fixed.

Chris Caserta has a fracture in his neck and bruised lungs. Picture: AAP

Stars back on track

Top-liners Hartnell and Vega Magic have edged closer to feature race returns after a low-key jumpout at Flemington on Friday.

The Group 1-winning duo were not pushed out during a five-horse trial over 800m, won by Malibu Style in 48.54sec on the inside grass .

Hartnell, winner of almost $7 million and 13 races, including four Group 1s, finished fourth. Vega Magic was a closing second. Runson (third) and Volkstok’n’barrell (fifth) rounded out a quality group.

Vega Magic, a Memsie Stakes and Goodwood Handicap winner, could resume next week in the Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap at Flemington. Another option is to kick off in the Listed Regal Roller Stakes at Caulfield on August 17.

Hartnell, now nine, has been off the scene since finishing third behind Winx in the wonder mare’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes farewell at Randwick in April.

Originally published as Joe Bowditch, Chris Caserta sidelined with neck fractures after shocking fall at Sale