Bailey off life support as condition takes a turn for the better

[Wandering Eyes]

Apprentice jockey Bailey Rogerson remains in the intensive care unit at Waikato Hospital but her condition has taken a significant turn for the better, having regained consciousness and is now breathing without assistance.

The 24-year-old’s grandfather Graeme Rogerson reported early Thursday afternoon that an MRI scan on Wednesday was followed by a major overall improvement in her health. While still feeling the effects of her Rotorua race fall on Sunday, Rogerson has begun the long road to recovery.

“She’s certainly turned the corner and although she has a long way to go, it’s a big relief for all of us that she’s a whole lot better than she was to begin with,” Rogerson said.

“Her injuries include a fractured skull and brain bleed, a vertebrae fracture and facial injuries, but you’d have to say she’s a lucky girl, it could have been a whole lot worse.”

After being attended to by on-course medical personnel immediately following the race six fall when her mount was checked by another runner, Rogerson was ambulanced to Rotorua Hospital. However, when her condition worsened she was flown by the Westpac Rescue helicopter to Waikato Hospital, where she is expected to remain for some time yet.

“The medical people have been wonderful, all of them from the time it happened,” Rogerson said. “They couldn’t have done more for Bailey, the doctors, nurses and everyone else have been just marvellous.”

Rogerson is also effusive in his praise for the racing community and their outpouring since his grand-daughter’s plight became public knowledge.

“I can’t believe the racing community, the number of calls, messages, people from all around the world,” he said. “Mark Todd, who Bailey worked for in England during COVID, has been in touch, even the bloke who rode the Kentucky Derby winner.

“All of Bailey’s mates from the girls’ (jockey) room have been lining up at the door to see her, but we have to be careful. Gary and Michelle (parents) have been at her bedside the whole time, and they have restricted her visitors to one at a time.

“It’s times like these you realise just how caring people are, and that’s something that Gary and Michelle would like to acknowledge and say thanks.”

For Rogerson and his training partner, wife Debbie, duty will call on Saturday with Sharp ’N’ Smart (NZ) (Redwood) and two other members of their stable are engaged at Pukekohe.

Sharp ’N’ Smart has finished third at weight-for-age in his last two starts, the Gr. 1 Livamol Classic (2040m) and Gr. 3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m), and back to handicap conditions in Saturday’s Gr. 3 MyRacehorse Counties Cup (2100m), he will carry topweight of 59kg.

“His last two starts have been good, but he is racing a bit more dour now,” Rogerson said. “We rode him handier last time and he stuck on well, his sectionals were very good.

“He’s probably looking for more than 2100m, but he’ll still run a race and it will set him nicely for the Waikato Cup (Gr.3, 2400m).”

Stablemate Solidify (NZ) (Redwood) is an acceptor in two races on Saturday, the Rating 75 2100m Dunstan Horsefeeds Qualifier, in which he has topweight of 61kg, and the Counties Cup, however he’s on the minimum and third emergency.

“I’d love him to get a start in the Cup as he’s been going good races, if not he’ll have to run in the other race,” Rogerson said. “He’s got a good win in him, and the same goes for our other runner, Skymax, who’s in the Rating 65 1600m.

“She ran some very good races against the best fillies last season, and by now she’s probably looking further than 1600, but I’d love her to draw an alley, then we’ll see her do something.”

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