Boss back with two rides at Sandown

By Mark Ryan

MELBOURNE, Jan 16 AAP - Champion jockey Glen Boss is making a low key return to the saddle after being sidelined for four months with a career-threatening shoulder injury, taking just two rides at Sandown on Wednesday.

Boss, 42, shattered his left shoulder and tore ligaments and tendons when 2010 Golden Slipper winner Crystal Lily collapsed and died in a Flemington jumpout on September 23.

The triple Melbourne Cup winning jockey has a metal plate and 10 screws inserted in his shoulder, an injury that could have ended his career.

"This was a lot worse injury than the one in Macau," Boss said, comparing it to the serious race fall he had nearly 10 years ago when he suffered two breaks in his neck.

"For a few weeks it was struggle city. I couldn't do anything with the arm, I had no power, I couldn't lift it past my chest.

"That's the nature of the injury, it takes a while with the ligament and tendon damage.

"I've been doing physio for three months and working my butt off with my personal trainer for six weeks bar a week off with the family over Christmas.

"I've been back riding track work and trials for three weeks.

"We've taken just the two rides on Wednesday at Sandown and after that I'll ride next at Flemington on Saturday.

"I just want to ease into it and build up my fitness for the autumn carnival.

"It'll be interesting to see where I am fitness wise as race riding is a different thing again to all the preparatory work."

Boss' first ride back will be Josimar in the Sportingbet Hcp (1300m) for co-trainers Colin and Cindy Alderson.

Josimar has 54.5kg which is as light as Boss can ride at the moment with his other mount the Danny O'Brien-trained Meaisin (58kg) in the Le Pine Funerals Hcp (1800m).

A renowned big race performer, Boss rode the O'Brien-trained Shamrocker to win the Australian Guineas and the Australian Derby last season.

He has ridden 74 Group One winners, the most recent being Hay List in the All-Aged Stakes at Randwick on April 23 last year.