Popular Cranbourne trainer Udyta Clarke showing positive signs in hospital after a brain bleed
Udyta Clarke is showing signs of improvement after the popular Cranbourne trainer threw a scare into the industry when she was rushed to hospital following a brain bleed.
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Popular Cranbourne trainer Udyta Clarke has shown signs of improvement after she was taken to hospital with bleeding on the brain on Tuesday morning.
Clarke was found unresponsive at her property in the early hours of Tuesday before she was rushed to the Monash Hospital in a critical condition.
Racing Victoria reported Clarke had opened her eyes several times and has been moved out of the emergency department of the hospital.
“It’s still a very serious situation but she’s such a fighter and once again she’s giving it everything she has,” Clarke’s close friend and colleague Julie Murray said.
“We’ve been so humbled by the generous support from so many in the racing industry and can’t thank everyone enough for reaching out.”
Australian Trainers’ Association chief executive Andrew Nicholl told RSN that information on Clarke’s condition had been hard to come by but the industry hoped she would be quickly back on her feet.
“Obviously, it was a shock to everybody,” Nicholl said.
“She’s one of those personalities that just makes racing what it is, she’s a great common interest story.
“We’re keeping our fingers crossed for her.”
Clarke is best known for her emotional post-race interviews when one of her small team wins a race around Victoria.
Expressing her sheer joy with her horses won Clarke the Victorian Racing Media Association Personality of the Year award in the 2017/18 season.
Victorian Trainers’ Association president and fellow Cranbourne trainer Robbie Griffiths said the organisation was available to help Clarke’s family during the difficult time.
“Naturally, the association is available to help in any way, shape or form,” Griffiths said.
“If they need a hand, we’ll be there.
“Everyone will rally around ‘Dyta’ because she’s a great person, a ripper.”
Griffiths said Clarke’s fellow Cranbourne trainers were shocked to hear the news about Clarke, whose love for racing and her horses has endeared her to many.
“Everyone’s crossing their fingers and toes and saying their prayers, hoping like hell she pulls through.”
Clarke’s best horse was the recently retired Rich Charm, who won nine races and more than $900,000 in prizemoney in a career that included a win in the Group 2 Linlithgow Stakes (1200m) down the Flemington straight on Derby Day in 2017.
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Originally published as Popular Cranbourne trainer Udyta Clarke showing positive signs in hospital after a brain bleed
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