It took a little longer than expected by his own admission, but Mathew Cahill was back in the winner’s circle at Canberra on Friday.
Teaming up with Garry Kirkup – a trainer he has enjoyed much success with over the years – Cahill guided Frisson ($8.50) to a comfortable victory in the 1206m TAB Federal.
For the popular Cowra product, he was just happy to notch that first winner.
“I had no expectations early, and the goal was to take my time, but I had a few goes around, and it wasn’t working out for me, so it’s good to get that first win and the monkey off my back,” Cahill said.
“I was happy to poke along for the right horse, and I’ve got to thank Garry for putting me on a good one.
“I’ve had a lot of success with him over the years, as did my old brother (Michael Cahill) in the earlier days when he trained for Trans Media.
“He’s been such a staunch supporter of us over the years, so it was a thrill to get a winner for him and pay him back.”
Cahill was off the scene for 14 months after a nasty fall at Canberra in April 2022 left him with a fractured C1 vertebra.
In somewhat of a full circle moment, Cahill, who’s ridden over 500 winners in the nation’s capital, was glad to be back riding at Canberra on Friday.
“I’ve got fond memories of Canberra, and I’ve had good success there,” Cahill said.
“That fall is one moment I’d like to forget, but I’ve always enjoyed racing at Canberra, especially on their quality grass track.”
Despite making a return and getting back into the winner’s circle, it didn’t happen overnight, and Cahill had previously admitted that there were times he considered his career.
Still, the 55-year-old worked hard to get his body and mind right, and he made a low-key return to the races at Dubbo late last month.
Shortly after his return, there was a scary moment on July 8 when he was involved in a fall at Wellington.
Riding the Garry Lunn-trained Freycinet, his mount tragically broke down, and he fell, as did apprentice Jayden Barrie, who was worse for wear after coming off the Bryan Dixon-trained More Than Luck.
“It was full on fall, similar to what put me out last year,” Cahill said.
“A horse broke down, and I was struck from behind, and I was very lucky that I fell the right way this time and hit the ground and rolled.
“It was quite harmless for me, but the young fella (Jayden Barrie) ended up worse off with some broken ribs and a punctured lung.
“It’s one of those things; any fall gives you a shock, but I was lucky enough to get through that one unscathed.”
Following the fall, the winners still weren’t arriving for Cahill, but he explained that getting his eye back in took some time.
“I don’t think anyone can come back 100%,” Cahill said.
“It’s like match practice for a footy or tennis player; as a jockey, nothing beats race fitness.
“You can do all the trials and trackwork in the world, but it’s a different pressure in races, plus it takes a little while for timing, balance and those things to come back 100%.”
Now that he has a win under his belt, Cahill wants to kick on with it, and he treks to Bathurst on Tuesday, a track where he has ridden close to 200 winners.
He’s looking forward to taking four rides in the next step in his well-documented return.
“The body is good, and I’m in pretty good shape; I know I was rusty when I first came back, and I still reckon there is improvement to make,” Cahill said.
“It’s coming back slowly, and hopefully, it comes back completely, and I can get back to how I was riding last year.”
For all results from Canberra on Friday, click here.
For Bathurst fields on Tuesday, click here.
