Bunbury jockey Damian Lane bounced back from a dramatic fall at Flemington on Saturday to kick off his Spring Carnival with a key double.
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Lane was racing Limestone in race five, the Danehill Stakes when Jukebox, ridden by Craig Williams, shifted out dramatically over the final stages.
The sudden move caused Limestone to fall, sending Lane crashing down onto the hallowed turf of the home straight.
“For a few moments there I thought I'd definitely at least be missing the rest of the day,” Lane told reporters after the day’s racing.
“But I gave it five or 10 minutes and I felt good to go. I'm lucky to have escaped with no injury.”
Limestone also escaped from the fall uninjured while Williams was given a 23 meeting ban by the stewards for careless riding.
It didn’t take Lane long to return to the winner’s circle with victory in the very next race, the Group Two Let’s Elope Stakes.
His mount, Sword of Light ($18.70) booting easily away from the field of 16 to win by a half length over Swampland and Lovani.
Lane then really made it a successful day in race seven with victory in the Group One Makybe Diva Stakes.
Lane was aboard Humidor ($13.70) sat last on the turn with pre-race favourite and former Melbourne Cup and Cox Plate place-getter Hartnell sitting comfortably in second.
Humidor, a five-year-old gelding, then let down in the straight with explosive speed to blow the field away to win by three lengths.
The New Zealand horse has offered many glimpses of talent during his career but looks to have finally matured into a fine racehorse.
“He's a great talent and he's really starting to put it together now,” Lane said.
“He just lobbed along at the back there and even though I had them all in front of me, I thought I was the winner a long way from home.
“Credit to Darren and all the team, they've got a great knack of getting horses to relax and this horse has come such a long way since joining the stable.
“It's great to add another group 1 to my record.”
Lane and Humidor also paired up last March to claim the $1.5 million Group One Australian Cup at Flemington.
Humidor will next race in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington on October 7 and is set to target the Caulfield Cup, where he is a $5 favourite. The gelding is currently a $13 second favourite for the Melbourne Cup.