Physical & Mental Scars Remain For Glen Boss

Glen Boss describes last Tuesday as the most important morning of his career and it’s not hard to see why.

We all knew Boss suffered a pretty bad injury when Crystal Lily collapsed and died underneath him at Flemington back in September but few understood just how bad it was.

Much of that comes down to the fact Boss remained steadfastly confident throughout the whole period, his personality from the outside not appearing to change much at all.

On the inside things were a different story though as Boss confronted the very real possibility that he’d never ride again.

“This injury was this close to the end. I didn’t realise it at the time but that’s how close it got,” he said.

“For a while there I just didn’t improve, couldn’t raise my arm. No strength.

“I’ve known people who have had that sort of thing and just never got better.

“I tried to be positive on the outside, but I had all sorts of thoughts going through my head. It’s bloody hard thinking it might be all over.”

Tuesday though he had the chance to put some of those demons behind him when he successfully rode four trials at Caulfield.

Those trials continue today and with each one he gains the extra confidence he needs to make a full recovery.

Don’t think it will be a case of jumping right back in where he left off, Boss plans to take a very steady approach to his racing return.

It could start as early as next Wednesday at Sandown but it won’t be any more than a ride or two.

“I’m not going to rush back. I don’t want to go out there unable to get the job done, flopping around with people saying I’m ‘gone’. I’m in no rush,” he said.

He is still physically hampered by the injury which required his shoulder to be filled with a myriad of metal rods, screw and a plate.

As it stands he still can’t raise his hands over his head and he’s been warned that may be a permanent reality.

“I’m not sure if it means I’ll have to modify my style. I’m hoping not,” he said.

If there has been one positive from his time off though he says it’s been the ability to appreciate the racing industry from an entirely new perspective.

“You see it differently. That sense of being part of the crowd, hearing all the conversations, even the way you do your form is different,” he said.

“It’s been a tough time. But I’m thinking positive thoughts.”

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