Injured apprentice jockey Melanie Bolwell has been talking to family after doctors removed her breathing tube.

Bolwell has been in the Gold Coast Hospital since a three-horse fall at Warialda last Saturday week in which fellow rider Darren Jones suffered fatal injuries.

Racing NSW safety officer Maurice Logue said Melanie’s father Jason had advised she was still in a critical but stable condition but was expected to be transferred from intensive care to a ward within the next two days.

Leanne Henry, who also fell, is recovering from a broken collarbone.

The funeral service for Jones will be held in Tamworth on Thursday.

SYDNEY, April 18 AAP