In-form apprentice jockey Ryan Elliot has set himself a Group One target for his return to raceday riding.

The Hamilton rider fractured both of his thumbs in a trackwork incident on the morning of the Karaka Million twilight race meeting last month and as a result missed out on riding Group One performer Hypnos in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m).

Elliot will undergo an operation to mend his broken thumb and has set himself a target of returning to raceday riding on February 23 for the Gr.1 Haunui Farm WFA Group One Classic (1600m) at Otaki.

“I have got a broken thumb that will need an operation, that’s only a day job, so it will be alright,” Elliot said.

“The other thumb is fractured with an infection, but it will be all good hopefully.

“I am hoping to be back for Otaki, Haunui Classic Day, that’s the main aim.”