Jockey rides with broken arm
By Bart Sinclair Courier MailKELVIN Wharton is the John Sattler of the Queensland riding ranks. Tough-as-teak Sattler played out the 1970 NSW rugby league grand final for South Sydney with a broken jaw.
Wharton rode in three races at the Sunshine Coast last Saturday, including a close second on Scattergun in the Caloundra City Cup, with a section of the humerus bone in his right arm splintered off.
The injury came from a mishap in the fourth event when his mount Tayanso went down in the gates, crushing his arm into the side of the stall.
Rival riders were amazed when Wharton climbed back on outsider Tayanso and completed the race. But they were even more staggered when he rode in three subsequent races.
"I told Kelvin I thought it (arm) was broken straight away. It blew up half the size of a football," Shane Scriven said.
Wharton was at his vigorous best, with the whip in the left hand, to almost take the cup on Scattergun.
"I was in a bit of pain but I could move my arm and I've learned to take my chances when they come along," he said.
"The only real pain was in the final race when I had to use the whip in the right hand on Belles Opinion. The first time I landed with the whip it nearly blew my head off.
"I took a couple of Panadeine Forte but by Saturday night it was hurting a fair bit so I went to hospital for X-rays.
"The doctor thinks it will be four to six weeks before I can ride again but I have to see the specialist tomorrow and will know more then."
Wharton, originally from Townsville, turned his back on racing in 1998. After seven years he regained his thirst for racing and the current season has been one of his best.
He has ridden just on 50 winners for the year, including 16 on the city tracks.
