SAVEAPATROL FACES UNCERTAIN FUTURE AFTER INJURY
Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones has had to make “that” phone call to owner Grant Hatton following a devastating setback to top pacer Saveapatrol.
Not only is the lightly-raced star out of today’s Hannon and November’s New Zealand Cup, but his future is uncertain after sustaining a tendon tear high up in his superficial tendon.
Brilliant pacer Saveapatrol in action at the Rangiora trials on Wednesday.
“It is the worst phone call to make to Grant (Hatton) and the worst part about training horses, but is part of the job and can happen anytime to anyone,” Mark said.
“I know all the time and effort, especially Regan (Todd), myself and my staff, have put into him. We did everything we could to keep him sound,” he said.
The tear is in the same leg he sustained an injury previously.
“But last time it was a deep digital tendon so its a completely different injury and so gutting,” Mark said.
Saveapatrol, the big gelded son of Christian Cullen and Rondel Franco, will have the tendon scanned next week.
“At this stage, our only option looks like doing an operation and give him a decent break, so he’ll be out for at least six months,” Mark said.
“I just have to hope we get him back to the races.”
“The vet didn’t give us much hope of racing him again but I am confident with the right rehab and all the work Regan puts into looking after him that we will get him back racing.”
The injury is extremely frustrating, after Saveapatrol had a precautionary operaton and a year off following an Auckland Cup third in the hope of preserving his long-term race future.
Saveapatrol, winning the Thames Cup at Alexandra Park on July 3. (Trish Dunell photo).
“It only happens to the good horses,” Mark said.
“I have no doubts he was a serious winning chance in the New Zealand Cup.”
“Both Grant (Hatton) and I may never get another horse as good as him, so we will put everything we can into getting him back to the races.”
Saveapatrol resumed in late June, winning the Thames Cup second-up in early July, then had to be freshened again with a foot infection.
He stepped out with a nose win from the trail at the Rangiora trials on Wednesday (last 800m in 55.5s), pleasing in preparation for a scheduled Hannon return.
The 6YO has raced only 18 times for 11 wins, a second, and a third, earning $145,618 in stakes.
By Jeff Scott