Xiriha and trainer-driver Anthony O’Connor both came off their horses Good Looka and Peters Passion in the 2175m trot.

O’Connor sustained broken ribs and a collapsed lung and spent time in Warrnambool hospital, while Xiriha was airlifted to Melbourne where he stayed in hospital until being discharged on Saturday night.

Xiriha broke his hand in the fall and has had several scans on his neck region as doctors try to find out what is behind his ongoing and persistent neck pain.

The popular trainer-driver also has very limited memory of the day, explaining that he recalled only “scoring up before the race and I vaguely remember being transferred in the helicopter”.

“The nurse said I’d cracked vertebrae in my neck and I got a neck brace and as I was leaving the hospital a nurse said I didn’t have a crack,” Xiriha said.

“I took the brace off for the first time the other day to have a shower and it was a big mistake.

“I’ve had a massive headache and I'll be heading back to the doctors today.”

Xiriha is still suffering the effects of severe concussion from the fall.

“I’ll talk to you today and may not remember it tomorrow,” he said.

“I know they said I was talking to the stewards and the first aid officials on track, but I can’t recall.”

Despite the injuries Xiriha continues his work around the stables.

“I just went and fed the horses before ... it’s a battle,” he said.

Xiriha said he’d been buoyed by well-wishes in person and via social media.

“It’s much appreciated.”

President of the Stawell Harness Racing Club Geoff Sanderson said Xiriha’s fall was the first time such an incident had been seen at the Stawell track.

“It was something that we have never experienced before with an accident like this,” he said.

“We are all hoping that Tony recovers from this setback and that we see him back at Stawell soon.”

Sanderson extended his thanks to everyone involved in helping with Xiriha and finishing the meeting.