Flemington trainer Mathew Ellerton will find the physio he is currently undertaking a little easier while he recovers from a stroke after splitting the prize in a race at Sandown.
Ellerton suffered a stroke while holidaying in Bali with his family late last month, the aftereffects of a case of ‘Bali Belly’.
The trainer was flown back to Melbourne to continue his care in the Royal Melbourne Hospital and was last week transferred into rehabilitation.
Band Of Brothers produced a timely win for Ellerton at Bendigo last week while stablemate Nodachi had to share the spoils with Lake Vostok in the LockettLED.au Handicap (1600m) on Wednesday.
Both horses were ridden to victory by Damian Lane who has ridden more winners for Ellerton and Simon Zahra when the pair were in a training partnership before their split than any other trainer.
Ellerton’s wife Leah said Mat was responding well to physio in rehabilitation.
“He’s in rehab and he’s doing really well, having lots of physio,” Leah Ellerton said.
“He’s walking, he’s talking, his face is back to normal.
“He’s trying to interfere a little bit, not that we need him to be doing that, but it’s a good sign that he’s getting back into wants he loves to do.”
Ellerton said her husband was very appreciative of the support from all sections of the racing industry.
“He’s very emotional when we talk about the support that every racing person in the industry has offered,” Ellerton said.
“He doesn’t say much, but you know it means a lot to him.”
With four meetings remaining for the season, Lane has all but secured his first Melbourne Jockeys’ Premiership title.
Lane entered Wednesday’s meeting with a 10-win lead over his nearest rival Blake Shinn and extended it after riding a treble – Nodachi, Lovelycut and Justdoit – while Shinn was kept winless.