Kah remains critical, Williams set for surgery after horror Saturday fall

High-profile jockey Jamie Kah remains sedated and in critical condition on Sunday at the Royal Melbourne Hospital following a high-speed fall during Super Saturday at Flemington.

Fellow jockey Craig Williams is scheduled for surgery on Tuesday at the Alfred, after suffering a fractured clavicle and concussion in the fall, the Victorian Jockey Associations confirmed.

Kah was heavily concussed after the fall at Flemington, the second in as many weeks at the racecourse, causing a delay to the Super Saturday race meeting.

Jamie Kah has been involved in a fall at Flemington.Credit: Getty

The fall occurred early in the running, during the group 2 Sires’ Produce Stakes.

Williams (Dubenenko) is in a stable condition after suffering from a fractured clavicle and concussion. Kah (Flyball) was initially in and out of consciousness following a severe head knock, but was responsive when attended to by on-course medical staff, after both jockeys were dislodged from their horses. Initial scans have cleared Kah of any fractures or brain injury but, heavily concussed, she remains sedated.

Flyball and Dubenenko returned to the scale, with Dubenenko returning with minor lacerations on both forelimbs. Flyball escaped with minor abrasions.

The races were pushed back 40 minutes to allow Racing Victoria’s two medical vehicles to return to their places for the meeting to continue.

Kah’s departure opened the door for Dean Holland to win his second career group 1 race after picking up the last-minute ride on In Secret in the $1.5 million Newmarket Handicap.

Godolphin trainer James Cummings said he spent 25 minutes with Holland before the race, going through In Secret’s videos to get the 34-year-old up to speed on the star filly, who repeated her Coolmore Stud Stakes win down the Flemington straight.

“The hardest thing to do is remove the emotion from it because we really feel for Jamie, and we hope she’s all right and that’s the most important thing of all,” Cummings said.

“I’ve got to give him [Holland] credit for filling big shoes there and doing the job.”

Holland, who was one of the few jockeys available to ride the filly at 51.5kg, said he was conscious not to over-celebrate given the circumstances.

“First of all, what I didn’t want to do was carry on, win, lose or draw with what happened with Jamie and ‘Willo’,” he said.

“My thoughts go out to them. I’m just the lucky one that was able to ride light today and picked up the ride on one of Australia’s best sprinters.”

In Secret ridden by Dean Holland wins the Yulong Stud Newmarket Handicap at Flemington. Credit: Brett Holburt, Getty Images

Earlier, Kah’s partner Ben Melham won the race after the fall on Sirileo Miss. He decided to forgo two rides later in the day to spend the rest of the afternoon at Kah’s side.

“I’ll put the cue in the rack for the day and just make sure she’s all right,” an emotional Melham said.

“It’s just a reminder how dangerous the job can be, the last week or so, and right now, winners are not so important as long as everyone’s OK.”

The fall came just seven days after Ethan Brown fell from his mount in the feature event at Flemington, the Australian Guineas. He has had multiple surgeries this week to overcome internal injuries.

Brown remains in intensive care at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, but appears in good spirits after sending a tweet of thanks to his supporters on Saturday morning.

“What a crazy few days it’s been,” Brown wrote.

“I’m overwhelmed by the amount of support and concern show towards me. I consider myself extremely lucky to say I got thru the other side in one piece and now heading down the road to recovery.

“Apologies to those I haven’t gotten back to.”

Stewards began their inquiry into Saturday’s fall by interviewing jockeys at Flemington during the meeting. They have adjourned until they can interview Williams and Kah. The inquiry into last week’s fall remains adjourned until stewards get the opportunity to chat to Brown.

Williams was due to ride Bella Nipotina in the Newmarket, but was replaced by Harry Coffey.

But all honours went to the Godolphin filly, who won comfortably from Lofty Strike and race favourite I Wish I Win.

Cummings said In Secret warranted group 1 success against the older horses. It was his second win in the Newmarket, now six shy of the record held by his grandfather Bart.

“Didn’t she just explode through the gap? We were confident we had her perfect, but she just exploded through the gap when it came and was upon them from second last in the run,” Cummings said.

“It was a proper Newmarket and ... she’s proven to be absolutely top-shelf again. She’s two from three this preparation, and she can head straight to the TJ [Smith Stakes] in three weeks and look like not only a competitive chance but a big force in that feature.”

Dean Holland and In Secret en route to victory. Credit: Vince Caligiuri, Getty Images

Following the run, Peter Moody withdrew I Wish I Win from next week’s All-Star Mile, indicating the horse would also head to the TJ Smith Stakes in Sydney in three weeks’ time.

Jockey Luke Nolen was full of praise for the beaten favourite.

“He was fantastic, it was just the handicap,” Nolen said.

“The two three-year-olds, they skipped the handicap, and we paid the price. He was very honest through the line, I think there’s a couple of options for him each week and so long as we pick the right one he’ll be winning again.”

Craig Newitt was also impressed with Lofty Strike’s runner-up finish, two weeks after finishing second in the Oakleigh Plate.

“So proud of him, he ran his guts out,” Newitt said. “She was just too good for him, simple as that. He had his chance. Followed the right horses, presented at the right time, just ran into a really good filly.”