Pat’s going flat out to get Hayley fighting fit
FIGHTING HARD: Hayley Turner throws a shot during her training session with Pat McAleese.
LEADING jockey Hayley Turner has teamed up with professional boxer Pat McAleese in a bid to help her return to full fitness ahead of the 2012 Flat season.
Since returning to the saddle on December 20 following a three-and-a-half month spell on the sidelines with a broken ankle, the 29 year old has joined forces with the Newmarket boxer for a series of training sessions at the town’s Perfect U gym.
Turner, who last year scored two Group One victories, broke her left ankle at the end of August after being thrown from the Marcus Tregoning-trained Rose Aurora on the way to the start in a race at Bath.
“The training Pat is doing with me is great for my general fitness as I have been injured for a long time,” said Turner.
“The work is especially good as although it is toning my muscle I am not building it up which for me is vital.”
Despite partnering numerous winners throughout her career, Turner — who picked up last year’s William Hill Sports Woman of the Year Award — was unaware just how far off the ball she was when making her return to racing on December 20 at Kempton.
“In my first ride back I didn’t realise how much muscle I had lost in my arms and my mount nearly ran off with me,” added Turner.
“I think another major benefit of doing this training is that it will help me improve my balance and raise my alertness and reaction levels.”
Although 2011 proved to be her finest year in the saddle to date, Turner believes there is still a lot more to come over the coming months with 2012 promising to hold even more opportunities for her.
“The injury is fine now. I still get the odd twinge but as far as breaks go it was a clean one and it has healed smoothly,” she added.
“At this point I feel that I am between 60 to 70 per cent race fit so I still have a way to go to hit my peak. Last year I was very race fit but I believe that I can be even fitter than that.”
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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