Racing: Season over for superstar

Chase Auckland, trained by Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen (above), is expected to be withdrawn from the Harness Jewels. Photo / Dean Purcell

Superstar 3-year-old Chase Auckland's season is over.

The Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen trained pacer is expected to be withdrawn from the Harness Jewels in preference for spending time in the spelling paddock.

Chase Auckland has been recuperating form a curbed hock sustained during his Northern Derby winning campaign.

A recent veterinary inspection revealed the hock had not improved enough for the horse to immediately return to work.

A decision was then made to cancel any plans to race the horse again this season and let the injury have as much time as it needs to heal.

Though it is disappointing their star will miss the Harness Jewels, Chase Auckland's best long-term interests had to be prioritised, Alabar syndicate manager Ivan Behrnes said.

"Its a major disappointment, but that's horses.

"It is just one race and we have so much to look forward to."

Chase Auckland's extended injury break is good news for the connections of rival 3-year-old pacers who will not have to contend with him in the Harness Jewels or the New Zealand Derby.

Before his hock injury Chase Auckland won eight of his nine starts and stamped himself as New Zealand's best 3-year-old pacer.

It is his 4-year-old career that his owners are now setting their sights on.

The New Zealand Cup meeting at Addington is Chase Auckland's long term goal, Behrnes said.

Chase Auckland's career has had striking similarities to that of his sire Auckland Reactor.

Auckland Reactor suffered an identically curbed hock on the same leg and rehabilitated at the same Canterbury facility as his son is at, Behrnes said.