Saved by a dust sheet!

It was a terrifying moment that had many onlookers holding their breath except for the man in the middle of the harness racing fall at Young on Tuesday night, Matthew McCaffery.

The trainer-driver and his runner Gracenava were given a slight check, which was enough to bounce McCaffery out of his seat and onto his dust sheet.

His Auckland Reactor filly wobbled for a few strides as she tried to regain her balance with McCaffery trying his best not to fall out.

However, this caused a chain reaction with the two runners behind them unfortunately falling to the track.

Those horses and drivers were Kulani Courage and Mat Rue and Sheza Cracker and James Locke.

“It actually wasn’t too scary for me because it all happened so quickly,” said McCaffery.

“I was just hoping my dust sheet wouldn’t give way.

“My filly did well and saved herself from falling but I feel sorry for the poor buggers that ran into me.”

Both Rue and Locke were catapulted out of their sulkies but thankfully were unharmed.

“I thought I would be a bit sore and stiff the next day but I’m fine,” said Rue.

“By the time I was tipped out we had slowed up which helped.

“Both James and I got up unhurt.

“My horse took some skin off his knees but will make a full recovery.

“It certainly wasn’t pretty to watch and Matt’s dust sheet straps must be pretty strong because they didn’t break!”

McCaffery’s filly should make a full recovery too.

“She came out of it pretty good and was feeling good the next day,” he said.

“It was just one of those freak things that happens . . . luckily everyone was OK.”

The stewards noted that Sheza Cracker sustained “lacerations to its right shoulder and right hip which were treated. Driver J Locke was examined by the on-course paramedics and cleared of any significant injuries.”

by Amanda Rando, for Harnesslink