Queensland Derby winning jockey Chad Schofield is hoping to return in time for the spring carnival after learning he won't require surgery for a fractured vertebra.
The star rider was injured in a three-horse fall at Cranbourne on Sunday, a day after he celebrated his fourth Group One win aboard Sonntag in the Queensland Derby.
He was taken to Melbourne's Alfred Hospital where doctors confirmed he had suffered a fracture to his C3 vertebra.
While Schofield will not require surgery, his father jockey Glyn Schofield confirmed the youngster would need to keep his neck stabilised for up to three months.
"He will be in a brace for the next six to 12 weeks and hopefully be back by the spring," Schofield said on Sydney's Sky Sports radio.
Chad Schofield is expected to be discharged from hospital later on Wednesday.
His father is also out of action after suffering facial injuries when he was dislodged from a horse during a recent set of Warwick Farm barrier trials.
Glyn Schofield said he still had some numbness in his face, particularly around his mouth, and was due to see doctors again on Monday to get a better idea of when he could return to the saddle.