Kate Nipperess making progress

Rider Kate Nipperess has surprised doctors with her progress since suffering serious spinal injuries in a trackwork accident.

Racing NSW’s Maurice Logue said although Nipperess was recently given a 10 per cent chance of walking again, she was now able to walk with a frame and expected to leave the rehabilitation centre at the end of January on crutches.

Nipperess was hurt in late July when a riderless horse crashed into her mount at trackwork at Warwick Farm.

Logue also reported jockey Winona Costin would visit a neurologist next week hoping to get a clearance to return to work.

Costin suffered concussion in a fall at the Kembla Grange barrier trials on October 12.

She was given an extended time off in light of previous concussions.

Jason Collett expects to be back riding shortly after Christmas with the jockey in a moon boot after breaking a toe in a barrier accident at Canterbury on November 11.