Kersley back in winning form at Sandown

Apprentice jockey Fred Kersley has quickly regained winning form, guiding the Lindsay Park-trained Twilight Song to victory at Sandown.

Kersley suffered a fractured thumb and a hairline fracture to an elbow in a fall at Sandown on December 20 and made his return to race riding at Ballarat on Tuesday.

His ride on Twilight Song in the Spicer Thoroughbreds Handicap (1200m) was his second ride back.

Kersley is on three months loan to Lindsay Park having started his career in Perth with his grandfather Fred Kersley.

Twilight Song was heavily backed to run the $2.30 favourite and held off a late charge from Platinum Angel ($6) to score by a half head with Stylish Missile ($7) a length away third.

Kersley said it was a great feeling to get a winner on the board so early in his comeback.

“It was painful watching from the sidelines, especially Lindsay Park horses I could have been riding win,” Kersley said.

“So to get this win today is great.”

Kersley had a pre-race scare when Twilight Song was fractious behind the barrier and dismounted from the filly.

“I was a little bit afraid she was going to run her race before the gates opened, but once we lobbed along in front she settled beautifully for me and found the line,” he said.

Twilight Song remains unbeaten following her debut maiden win at Caulfield last month and Lindsay Park co-trainer Ben Hayes said the stable would now look for a suitable Saturday race for the filly.