But yesterday the veteran horseman made a low-key return to a job he has held for 25 years at Warrnambool racecourse.

The 65-year-old had his right shin smashed by the Warrnambool-trained mare Kentucky Treasure, which kicked him three times before the running of a benchmark 64 race at Warrnambool in January last year.

“It’s been a long road back,” Walsh said.

“I’m only doing a few races today as part of my rehabilitation. I must admit there have been many times over the past year when I thought I would not return to the job and I reckon the doctors thought the same thing.

“I’ve really missed it working at the meetings. 

“I’ve been around horses all my life. It’s just great to be back. 

“I’ll be working at the next few Warrnambool meetings as a lead-in to the May carnival and I will continue doing rehab. 

“I should be right for the carnival.”

The popular identity gave credit to his sister Margaret Williams, fellow clerk of the course Leo Dwyer and Racing Victoria for helping his recovery.

“Margaret has done a power of work to ensure that I came back,” he said.

“She was a tower of strength when I was feeling pretty ordinary. 

“I had an infection for a while and I was not really good but Margaret kept on telling me I would be all right.

“Leo kept on encouraging me, saying give it one more try. 

“He said ‘you don’t want to look back with any regrets’ and that really drove me to get right again and Racing Victoria has been really supportive.”

Meanwhile, Swan Hill-trained Curragh King came with a withering burst to defeat Australian Venture and Gold Bridian for victory in the feature race on the eight-race program, a $15,000 benchmark 70 over 1400 metres.

Trainer Con Kelly said the four-and-a-half hour trip back home would seem quicker than the trip to Warrnambool.

“It’s always a quicker trip home if you win a race,” Kelly said. “The win has made the trip worthwhile. I’ve been lucky to have won a few races down here during my career but the last win was back in 2006. 

“Curragh King has been a headstrong horse and that has cost him more wins. 

“His first-up run at Ballarat was all right but he really hit the line hard today. 

“We might get him out to races over 1600 metres later in this campaign.”

Jockey Dean Holland took the riding honours with a winning double. Holland was successful on Red Casino and Straight Jacket.