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Mayday, Mayday, Ricky’s back By Matt Markham
matt.m@theguardian.co.nz
Ricky May is going back to work. Six months after he ‘died’ on a Central Otago Racecourse, the champion harness racing driver will make what is being regarded as one of the sporting comebacks of the decade, when he returns to race driving at Addington on Friday night. But not really one for the spotlight, the Methven farmer just can’t quite figure out what all the fuss is about considering, in his own eyes, he’s just going to do what he’s done for close to 40 years. The reality of it all is though, that his return is nothing short of remarkable. May was driving in a race at Omakau early in January this year when he collapsed and fell from the sulky. His heart officially stopped beating for no apparent reason, with doctors later diagnosing the event as hyperpothic obstructive cardiomyopathy. Doctors later confirmed that they believed he was dead for up to 10 minutes. He was saved by the swift action of those nearby, including drivers Ellie Barron and Lawrence McCormick who were first to his aid, and medical professionals who made their way onto the track from in the crowd. “I’m pretty lucky, lucky that it happened where it did and lucky that those people reacted as quickly as they did,” May said yesterday.
Initially it was expected that May would make his return to the races in August to mark the start of the new racing season, but a check-up with his specialist and medical team on Monday saw the green light given a lot earlier. “I feel about as good as I ever have to be fair, and I’ve just been getting on with life and working on the farm and mucking around with a few of our own horses. “I wasn’t that worried about when I returned to be fair, I guess there was an element of wanting to do right by all those who helped me and not rush, but I drove a couple of horses at Ashburton in fast work recently and it felt fantastic and I got the itch to be back out there.” With a medical clearance obtained, any hopes that May might have had of easing back into things were quickly dashed yesterday when he had six confirmed drives for Addington on Friday night. “I’m a little bit surprised by that, but it’ll be good to be nice and busy and driving a few. “I went to the races last week with Laurence Hanrahan and it was great to be able to be back there and catch up with everyone and it means that I can go on Friday night and get straight back to work.”
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Champion harness racing driver Ricky May will return to race driving on Friday night. PHOTO MATT MARKHAM 090620-MM-004
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