Parkes Jockey Michael Hackett's progress towards recovery from critical injuries sustained in a race fall is being seen as nothing short of a miracle by his loved ones.
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In the first days after he was rushed to a Sydney hospital from the Tomingley racetrack on April 27 and placed in an induced coma they were "hanging on pretty hard".
The husband and father-of-two had three bleeds on the brain and broken bones.
But after 50 days in Sydney hospitals and in the time since returning west to Lourdes Hospital at Dubbo the jockey is defying the odds.
Mr Hackett reflected on the past two months as he told of feeling his head injury was "getting better every day" and broken collarbone and shoulder were starting to mend.
"Probably the first five weeks I don't remember," he said.
"I don't remember anything about Liverpool and I remember just probably the last day, getting moved to Westmead.
"I probably spent eight weeks in Sydney and back out here for two and a half."
Showing true grit and happy to be closer to home, Mr Hackett is focused on his recovery and rehabilitation.
"Physio probably is my main bit, trying to get you back to 100 per cent as best as they can," he said.
"It's been good here... you do physio three times a day and stuff like that.
"You only get out of it what you put in, but it's been pretty good."
He offered his thanks to "everyone for how good they've been".
The jockey of about 15 years also told of his appreciation for his employer Northparkes Mines, Racing NSW and the National Jockeys' Trust for their support.
"I've been lucky, I work at the mines and only rode on the weekends, or when time off permits," he said.
"But it's been pretty good, they've kept my job... they're still paying me and will take me back, whatever condition I'm in. So they've treated me very well, I didn't expect that.
"Racing NSW covers all the hospital costs, so they've been pretty good too."
Last week, with wife Lee by his side, Mr Hackett had visitors from Parkes who were rejoicing at his progress.
Long-time friend Ben Smith recalled the scare they had all received when Mr Hackett and two other riders fell from their horses during the second race of the Tomingley Cup meeting.
"The first few days, we were all hanging on pretty hard but he's got through it and on his way to a full recovery, we hope," Mr Smith said.
His friend had "kept digging in and digging in".
"Every time I've seen him from the day after, the progress has been happening every day," Mr Smith said.
"I don't think there's been a day we've thought he hasn't improved, and now the amount of improvement keeps increasing.
"It's been a remarkable recovery from three bleeds on the brain and they said early days that he'd be doing very well to walk again.
"That was a big shock, that hit everyone pretty hard. He's defied the odds so far."
Despite the improvement it will be some time before Mr Hackett can return to work and the community is rallying to support the family through the tough time.
"A few of the racing guys over here in Dubbo approached me to see if they could get together and organise a charity night," Mr Smith said.
MPK Hotels has "jumped straight on board" and the fundraising night is being organised for August 31 at the Western Star Hotel.
Mr Smith said at the track the racing community was fiercely competitive.
"...but then something like this happens and it just does a complete turn and they chip in and they're all willing to look after each other when the chips are down like that," he said.
Anyone wishing to support the fundraiser can call the Western Star Hotel or Mr Smith on 0415 684 603.
Faye Wheeler
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
