The comeback story of Bellatrix Star from severe neck fractures suffered in early January this year has been well documented – from being in a position where there was a serious question mark about whether she would even survive and then to a determination that she “may never race again”, her subsequent rehabilitation and return to fitness has been quite remarkable.
A genuine test of her recovery and fitness for a return to racing took place at Caulfield on Thursday where she contested a public trial for the first time in over 12 months, in the hands of Mick Dee – it didn’t all go perfectly, she was in the gates for a long time and got a little fractious, was slow away, traveled fiercely in the run, was stone motherless last on turning for home 8 lengths off the leader, but then balanced up and produced her trademark turn of foot, beaten just 2.8 lengths on the line. Click HERE to see footage of the trial and rider and trainer comments
She has trotted up sound this morning and all going well she will resume in the listed Doveton Stakes over 1100m at Caulfield on the 29th of January
Our recent Ready To Run Sale purchase, the 2yo Colt by Snitzel out of a winning Zabeel mare. is enjoying himself in a big grassy paddock at Te Akau Stud. We inspected him there yesterday and he presents as a big, strong robust type – definitely exhibiting a “
make my day” attitude, we have allocated him the stable name
“Clint” – he will have a further 2 weeks in the paddock and will then commence his first Te Akau Stable prep under the watchful eye of Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson at Matamata
Shares are moving steadily with just 20% left as we write this
Click HERE to see his parade Video
Guest Commentator – Des Coppins
Greetings John and the Fortuna Team
Just when you think you’ve seen it all with 4 seasons in one day in Melbourne, last Saturday in Christchurch threw us a curve ball like no other. I wasn’t at Riccarton but watching it unveil on Trackside and getting feedback from many I know who were in attendance, it’s probably fair to say the weather gods dished out a microburst of sorts that’s been seldom seen on any race day anywhere.
WEIRD RACETRACK SITUATIONS
In my lifetime I’ve experienced an earthquake at Trentham and my uncles were at Addington when the public stand was on fire on Free For All Day over the Cup Carnival in 1961; the race continued and the winner was the greatest of all, Cardigan Bay.
We’ve also read about wild pigs rooting the back straight at Kumara to the extent that no racing could take place at the popular annual event not that long ago and a sink hole or two appearing at Taupo recently and at Ellerslie some years ago aborted their respective meetings.
But Saturday’s weather bomb, because of the suddenness and the sheer calamity and visuals it left behind, had to be the weirdest race day of our era. Melbourne may lay claim to the be the best when it comes to 4 seasons in one day but Riccarton gave us 4 seasons in less than one hour!
HEAD TRAUMA IS TOP OF MIND WITH RIDERS GLOBALLY
CONCUSSION is a brain injury.
It happens too often in all contact sport and horse racing is no different. And the global stage is gearing up in Hong Kong during the world jockey series to talk through a marathon two day session to highlight the awareness with a view of minimising the suffering too many jockeys are experiencing.
Retired jockey Michael Walker who had his career cut short through head injuries both on and off the track would be one of the first to acknowledge the importance
of such seminars. In a two way discussion between fellow injured jockey Lisa Allpress on our recent Sporting Tours Melbourne Cup Eve Dinner, Michael talked about how his head injuries are hard to handle but he’s doing his level best.
“The doctors are telling me that only 60% of my brain is actually functioning, “ he said. “Headaches come and go. Keeping myself active with gym work and playing with my young boys is the best medicine I can have because it keeps both the body and mind active, “ he added.
Michael endured serious life threatening head injuries when he fell off a steep bank during a pig hunting excursion in May 2008 and later copped further knocks to the head in a trials event at Pakenham in August, 2022. That’s the last time he was on a horse.
Neurologists and retired jockeys will speak at the two day Hong Kong seminar on such subject matter like:
•inside the mind of the jockey
•entrapment protocols
• jockey nutrition
• developing and protecting the jockey
• minimum riding weights
• the concussion journey – from turf falls to recovery
• fit to ride – rehabilitation post fall
• concussion litigation
• advancing safety in the saddle
• strong in the saddle – managing well being
• beyond the finish line – jockey transition into retirement following head injuries
Head trauma isn’t taken for granted by the authorities in all sports. It is so refreshing therefore to see racing upping the bar at such a key event with the eyes of the racing world strongly focussed. In simple terms we have to keep taking about and acting accordingly aa jockeys careers and indeed their lives may depend on it.
THREE TO FOLLOW FROM RICCARTON MIDWEEK
QUINTABELLE is a 4 race winner who is knocking on the door for another. Last Wednesday she attacked the line to finish 6th with the quickest final sectionals in the open staying race and less than 2 lengths from the winner.
SIR ALBERT raced three wide without cover in the group 3 TAB Mile and he’s in the best form on his career. If the stable decides to up the ante and tackle the even tougher group one company of the Mufhasa TAB Classic at Trentham on December 6 he could easily be the spoiler for the northern raiders.
THE RADIANT ONE knuckled leaving the barrier in the TAB Mile and was held up for several strides in the straight and only found clear running inside the last 200m. It’ll be interesting to see where she goes next. She’s already a listed black type winner but she deserves a bigger reward through her consistency which includes 10 seconds!
Good punting!
021 448 052
Des Coppins
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