Racing: Cut clips champ's build-up to Cup

Wet weather was a contributing factor in the paddock accident that has injured champion pacer Auckland Reactor.

Two-days of bad weather in Christchurch forced Auckland Reactor's trainer-driver Mark Purdon to keep the 4-year-old locked indoors.

Purdon was distressed yesterday when discovering that Auckland Reactor had a minor cut to a front leg.

"It's nothing serious but we had to get the veterinarian in to treat him," said Purdon. "Because of the seven-day stand-down when horses are under treatment he won't be racing in Auckland next Friday night.

"I suspect he has charged around his paddock as he was pretty full of himself and one of his back legs has just come through and clipped his front leg.

"It's a minor cut as he's just punctured the skin and it won't stop him racing in the Auckland Cup or heading to Brisbane for the Interdominions.

"They say a week is a long time in the life of a horse trainer and it's fair to say I've aged a lot handling this injury.

"Things could be worst - he could have gone and done this the day before or the day of the Auckland Cup or Interdominion Final and denied us a shot at some serious stake money."

Auckland Reactor has been a four-legged publicity machine for the racing industry and Purdon has been staggered with the amount of media interest this latest injury scare has created.

"The phone hasn't stopped ringing and it's great knowing this horse has captured the attention of some many sports fans in New Zealand."

The New Zealand TAB temporarily suspended fixed odds betting on the Auckland Cup and Interdominion Series when news broke yesterday.

Auckland Reactor was a hot pre-post favourite to win the $600,000 Auckland Cup at Alexandra Park in two weeks' time and was expected to dispute favouritism in the Interdominion Series with Australian star Melpark Major.