HONG Kong bound Callan Murray had a hip operation on Monday, and has ridden his last race in South Africa for the time being.

As he explained, this has been an ongoing problem. “I had an op on my left hip four years ago to sort out cartilage damage, but it’s been worrying me a lot again lately”.

Indeed he underwent cryotherapy (extreme cold) treatment prior to the July meeting to ease the pain, but it was then decided to go under the knife.

“I decided to have it done now, so I will be ready for my first riding engagement in Hong Kong on 2
September. The recovery period is six weeks, so it all fits quite tidily.

“They shaved the bone, tidied up the cartilage, and repaired the labral hip tendon.

“It’s very painful now, but I’ll be undergoing more cryotherapy, and also using a hyperbaric chamber to speed up the recovery process, as well as intensive physio.”

The ultra promising youngster will complete his rehab in Hong Kong, as he is to fly there on 4 August.—Ken Nicoll/Tab News.