It’s been a long road back to race riding, but jockey Nathan Punch snared his first race win in almost two years on Monday, guiding Ellmaknific to victory at Pakenham.
The Victorian hoop spent 22 months on the sidelines battling severe concussion symptoms, stepping away from riding in August 2022, and there was no guarantee that he would return to the saddle.
The 29-year-old returned to riding in March this year at the jumpouts, before a return to racing on March 29.
Punch had gone close but failed to notch a comeback victory in 48 rides since returning, but found success aboard Ellmaknific for local trainer Brian McGrath.
“It’s very pleasing, it’s been a long journey to get back here but (I’m) just glad to get the first one off the back,” Punch, who has ridden 129 career winners, said.
Punch piloted the gelding a week earlier at Pakenham where he ran a luckless ninth.
“The last thing Brian said to me last week was ‘you can’t stuff up from barrier one’ – and that’s all I did,” he said.
“(But) it panned out beautiful (today), we got a dream run, (we) worked into it when we wanted and he was strong to the line. I came here confident on what he did last week that (stepping) up to 1400 metres he’d be strong to the line.”
“I reckon I’ve had nearly 50 rides back now, so it’s good to get the first one and Brian’s always been a good supporter of me, so it’s good to get one for him,” he said.
Pakenham trainer McGrath was delighted to play a significant role in Punch’s comeback story.
“We thought he (Ellmaknific) was really, really unlucky last time, (I’m) really thrilled for the team and Punchy as well, I think it’s his first winner back since his head injury, he’s been a good part of the team,” McGrath said.
He got off last time and said ‘look we were really unlucky, it’s basically like we didn’t go around – back him up’.
“He was confident today, well done to Punchy – great ride, great win.”
McGrath shone a light on the struggles Punch encountered during his time off the track.
“I kept in contact (with him) while he was out, I think it was a really tough period for him because those simple things we take for granted – he was struggling to do,” he said.
“He’s come back, he’s shown a lot of grit, he’s been back riding work for me and riding trials – I’m really thrilled to give him the ride and get the win with him.”
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