Jockey Michael Walker is confident his injured back will hold up as he returns to the saddle at Moonee Valley today for Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes Race Day.

Michael Walker, above, is back from injury at Moonee Valley. Photo by Adrienne Bicknell.

Walker injured his back while riding Palace Of Mirrors at Geelong last Friday week and was later diagnosed with three prolapsed discs.

A week of intense treatment sees Walker return to the saddle with six rides at Moonee Valley, including $9 chance Sauvito in the Group 2 $250,000 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m).

“It feels really good,” Walker told Racing.com.

Walker tested his back at track work on Thursday morning and again in the Flemington jump outs on Friday and is keen to get back to race riding.

“I’m looking forward to some nice rides,” Walker said.

“I’ve done everything in my power with Dr (Gary) Zimmerman; I’ve been jabbed in the spine, cortisone here and there.

“So here’s hoping, fingers crossed, it’ll hold out. I’m pretty confident it will.”

Walker was aboard Sauvito when she ran a first up sixth to Miss Rose De Lago in the Group 2 $200,000 Back To Caulfield P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 13 but did share the winner’s stall with the Nigel Blackiston trained mare in her three year old season in a Fillies Handicap at Caulfield.

Walker also rides Choice for Blackiston in the first race of the day, Lord Macau for the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott in the Quest Moonee Valley Handicap (1514m) and New York for Moe trainer Allison Bennet in the United Refrigeration Handicap (1514m).

Walker’s other two rides are for the Lindsay Park Team of David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig, Sebring Dream in the Listed $120,000 Mitchelton Wines Atlantic Jewel Stakes (1200m) and Fast ‘N’ Rocking in the Listed $120,000 SAJ Fruit Supply Stakes (1200m).