Missen on the mend

Tamworth horseman Anthony ‘Tony’ Missen is in “good spirits” despite sustaining major injuries in a race fall at his local harness racing track on Sunday.

Recently appointed Tamworth Harness Racing Club Chairperson Julie Maughan said the 54-year-old trainer-driver was transferred to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle today.

“The report is that he has a shattered pelvis, broken shoulder and broken collarbone,” Maughan said.

 “From all accounts Tony is his usual bright and bubbly self.”

Missen was dislodged from the sulky when driving his pacer Tirunesh.

Subsequently he was on the track unconscious and Harness Racing New South Wales Stewards stopped the race, later declaring it a “No Race”.

Missen was then taken to Tamworth Hospital.

He started the meeting on a better note when his pacer Fivestar Wally won the opening event causing an upset at odds of $40.80 with NSW TAB.

 “The Club is thinking of him as he is a very popular trainer and reinsman in the north-west,” Maughan said.

“Tony had a lot of success in recent seasons in taking out the North and North-West Trainers Premiership for the past two seasons.

“Tony is one of those likeable and relaxed people who is always there to congratulate someone else on a win.

“We hope that the doctors can give a better diagnosis than what we are hearing as we want to see Tony back at the track as soon as possible.”

AMANDA RANDO