Extended period on sidelines after freak accident

PROMINENT horseman Michael Stanley is expected to be sidelined for an extended period following a racing incident in Bendigo last night.

In what has been described as a "freak accident", Stanley has suffered two fractured vertebrae.

Stanley was pulling his stable star Rock N Roll Doo out of the Bendigo Cup as the field travelled along the back straight when eventual winner, Major Meister, rammed into his back.

Major Meister's driver Cameron Hart explained he attempted to avoid Stanley, but the gelding never responded quickly enough.

Although instantly in pain, Stanley showed tremendous horsemanship to retain control of Rock N Roll Doo before being aided by track attendants.

Stanley was taken to hospital via ambulance, where he remains.

"The pain was agonising," Stanley said. "I had to wait around a while until they had me ready to go to the hospital.

"I'm hoping to get home today, but it will be up to six weeks on the sidelines."

As for Rock N Roll Doo, the five-year-old choked down after over-racing outside the leader, A Gs White Socks.