The jumping season is over for The Jolly Dancer, who had been the pre-post favourite for the $40,000 Hawkes Bay Steeplechase at Hastings today.
Manawatu trainer Mark Oulaghan said The Jolly Dancer had suffered a tendon injury and was not expected to race again until next year.
"He'sgot a little bit of a tendon strain," Oulaghan said. "He's going to need a couple of months off, so that's more or less finished him for this season. Hopefully he will be right next year."
The Jolly Dancer was listed as a $4 favourite on the TAB's fixed-odds market for today's race.
The 7-year-old gelding, by Victory Dance, won the $30,000 Manawatu Steeplechase (4400m) at Awapuni on June 16 at his last start when leading throughout to score by eight lengths.
The win confirmed his steeplechasing potential and took his record in that role to seven starts for three wins and a second. He has also won three races on the flat.
Oulaghan said his veterinary surgeon was hopeful the injury would not be too serious. "He seems to think it is quite feasible he will get over it with a spell."
