Hunter Valley harness racing reinswoman Polly Downing will not drive in races for at least six weeks after sustaining a serious back injury in a race fall at Newcastle on Saturday night. Downing suffered a compression fracture to vertebrae in her back as a result of the fall, an injury commonly associated with trauma suffered in motor vehicle accidents.

Downing also suffered bruising to her body and was taken to John Hunter Hospital where she remained overnight for observation. The 27-year-old returned home on Sunday and despite being in pain is happy to be home.

"I remember everything that happened in the fall, the horse in front of me galloped and I got to the outside of that horse but there wasn't enough room and I got flipped out," Downing said.

"I think I might have got hit by a wheel on the way through but that wasn't what caused the problem with my back, it was definitely the fall."

Doctors have told Downing she should be feeling a little better by the end of the week but the fracture could take up to eight weeks to heal.

"I thought I'd ruined Christmas but the doctor told me that I won't be as sore by the end of the week, it will take between six and eight weeks before the fracture is fully repaired though."

Downing was driving the lightly raced mare At Em Ashley when the accident took place.

"The good news is that she wasn't hurt during the fall, she is in the fields on Wednesday night and will take her spot at this stage with Paul Bourke doing the driving.

"Paul did a great job on Saturday night because he was driving in the race but he still managed to catch At Em Ashley after I got tipped out."

The event was re-run and was won by the Colin Edwards trained Second Hand News.

Greg Hayes