Shaw was thrown from the sulky behind Boss Hog in the final race at Alexandra Park on Tuesday and went into surgery that night to ease swelling on the brain, and was placed in an induced coma.

However, tests yesterday afternoon were positive, revealing bleeding was not coming from the brain.

Shaw was taken off the coma-inducing drugs last night and while it is hoped he will wake up today, it may take longer, Ferguson said.

The surgeon predicted a good recovery for Shaw, but some patience will be needed.

"He said he was going to be OK but it is going to be a long, slow process," Ferguson said.

"They've taken the drugs off him and are going to let him wake up in his own time."

"They said it could take two or three days because everyone reacts to the drugs differently."

Ferguson, along with Shaw's family, is prepared for the coming months with the recovery time period still very much up in the air.

"It's going to take time and that may mean months or even years," he said.

"Head injuries are never certain, but the prognosis is good for him to be alive and watch his kids grow up and enjoy it - whatever else happens is a bonus."

The Cambridge harness racing community has rallied round to ensure Shaw's horse transport and agistment business keeps rolling on.

"We're trying to keep everything going at the moment until decisions are made about what's going on but his mortgage has got to be paid and the kids have got to be fed so we'll just try and keep things going as best as we can."

Ferguson has been thrilled by the support which has appeared from many in the industry within the last 36 hours.

"We've had heaps of offers of help - it's been really great," Ferguson said.

"The people who have rung up have been incredible - we can't thank them enough. It will certainly be a long process and we'll be calling on those people as time goes on to help us out."

"It's a fiercely competitive sport but it's very family-orientated - everyone looks out for each other."

Matt Smith