Michael Hackett is making progress after a shocking race fall at Tomingley late last month.
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The well-known Parkes jockey remains in Liverpool Hospital but on Thursday of last week he had his drain and breathing tube removed.
That came after he underwent surgery earlier in the week and spent time in an induced coma.
An update provided by Racing NSW stated Hackett is "a lot more awake and more responsive to everyone around him".
It is promising progress after the incident, one which saw three jockeys hospitalised.
Michael Gray, who was transported to Dubbo immediately after the fall, had successful surgery on his clavicle on Wednesday.
Gray also has a wrist fracture that will be treated in a splint and a thoracic spine fracture that just requires rest.
Ricky Blewitt was the other jockey involved and, according to Racing NSW, he has stable in-displaced thoracic spine fractures requiring rest for six weeks to heal.
He also has a scapula fracture that will be treated with a sling and a rib fracture that requires rest and conservative management.
Syndicate of farmers
In other racing news almost 30 millimetres fell at Coonamble throughout the day on Friday and on Sunday there was even more good news for a syndicate of landholders at the Dubbo Turf Club.
Connections of Gorn Hoff were understandably concerned as the three-year-old gelding was pulled from the barriers in the moments before the Dubbo RSL Event Centre Maiden Plate (1300 metres).
He declared fit to run and proved it, Daniel Pitomac defying the $21 odds to win in a thrilling photo finish a bare 0.05 lengths ahead of $2.20 favourite The Exchequer (Samantha Clenton).
Many of the nine families connected were represented track side on Sunday, and the cheers went up as the Bon Hoffa x Stralara progeny's win was confirmed.
"They've dealt with drought at Coonamble for a long time and it's just good to get them away and get them a winner," trainer Clint Lundholm said.