FORMER top apprentice Sammie Clenton will continue to build her confidence and fitness at barrier trials after making a return on Tuesday at Gosford.
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Clenton has been riding trackwork and jump-outs since March in her comeback from a spinal injury sustained in a heavy fall at Scone in October 2016.
The Branxton-based rider, who became a mum during her break from the sport, was the leading apprentice jockey in NSW in the 2015-16 season with 81 winners before two race falls stalled her career.
Back working part-time for premier Newcastle trainer Kris Lees, as well as managing her own team of 12 horses with partner Tim McIntosh, Clenton has not ruled out a return to race riding.
She took another step back at the trials on Tuesday with six rides on Lees-trained horses.
“It was good,” Clenton said. “Kris and I had been talking about it.
“Obviously I’m not fit yet, but I said to him that I’d like to do some trials to try and help my fitness out and kick me along a bit more.
“I just want to do some trials for a month or two and see where I’m at then.
“They didn’t miss me this morning, though, giving me six rides at my first trials back, but it was good.
“It soon tested out where my confidence level is. It was good to be back, but there’s plenty more trials to come.”
Racing returns to Newcastle on Saturday with a seven-event program before the club’s popular Boxing Day meeting.