Racing: Injury halts fancied filly

Stephen Crutchley has not given up hope of getting Mi Jubilee onto the racetrack to contest the $120,000 Manawatu Sires Produce at Awapuni later this month despite a shock defeat at New Plymouth yesterday.

The 2-year-old filly was expected to dominate the $45,000 Ford 2-Year-Old Classic but shortened stride with 400 metres remaining and finished 12.6 lengths behind the impressive winner, Kindacross.

Crutchley admitted having his heart in his mouth and fearing the worst when he saw his champion filly drop backwards through the field at the top of the home stretch.

"It's not a nice feeling for any trainer seeing a horse you train clearly in trouble. From the stand it looked a very serious injury," said Crutchley.

"I spoke to David [Walker, regular jockey] when he came back into the birdcage and he said that he felt her injure herself with 400 metres to run.

"The club veterinary surgeon immediately inspected her after the race and he found that she had twisted the joint area in her near-side front leg.

"There's quite a bit of swelling in the area but it may not be as serious an injury as it looks. We'll know in a few days' time when the swelling goes down and I'll have our vet look over her as well.

"I'd like to start her in the Manawatu Sires Produce but a lot will depend on how serious an injury it is. If she's only sprained something then we have a chance of starting her.

"We have had a wonderful season with this filly. She has come out and won her last two starts in Group One events and she's now a valuable proposition at stud.

"I would never risk injuring this filly and she will only race again if she is 100 per cent fully recovered from this injury."

Kindacross was given a dream sit close to the leaders by jockey Noel Harris before pouncing quickly on the opposition in the home stretch and clearing out out to win by 3 3/4 lengths over Wahid. A further 6 1/4 lengths away third was Realign.

Harris has been the dominant jockey in this Group Three event. The win with Kindacross was his fifth - having won with Kingdom Bay (1984), Straight Order (1988), Jetter (199) and San Luis (2001).

The tricky track conditions clearly upset the win prospects of the highly favoured duo of Wahid (second) and Mi Jubilee (fourth) who struggled to lengthen stride in the home stretch.

Nothing could be taken away from the winning performance of the Mark Walker-trained Kindacross who has been a consistent performer for the Matamata trainer.

The Cape Cross-sired gelding has four wins and one minor placing from seven starts and his on the pace racing style was rewarded with a well-deserved victory. 

 - HERALD ON SUNDAY