Injury cloud hangs over top Southland sprinter
The injury prevented the gelding from racing at Riverton last Saturday and has cancelled plans to race him in Christchurch on April 13.
Jamie Searle is a long-time Southland racing writer. For more of his work head to the Southland Thoroughbreds Facebook page.
Invercargill thoroughbred trainer Sally McKay has no race in mind for Henry Hubber until he recovers from a fetlock injury.
The injury prevented the gelding from racing at Riverton last Saturday and has cancelled plans to race him in Christchurch on April 13.
"We thought it was an infection but it's not improving as it should," McKay said.
"We're not 100 percent sure [what the problem is], so we're going to get it scanned. It's got a bit of heat and filling still," McKay said.
"We'll get him right first before we make any plans."
Henry Hubber is a top sprinter with a grand record of eight wins and $175,645 from 29 starts.
Earl Of Orkney and King Palm will be McKay's runners at the Ascot Park race meeting on Sunday.
A solid second at Riverton last Saturday has brought Earl Of Orkney into favour for the Ascot Sports Bar Handicap. He is listed to carry 59kg but his rider, Ruvanesh Muniandy, can reduce it by using his 4kg apprentice claim.
McKay said 8-year-old Earl Of Orkney was nearing the end of his racing career.
"He'll finish next month, then he'll be retired and looking for a new home."
King Palm has been unplaced in three maiden sprint races as he builds up to racing over longer distances. His race on Sunday is the ILT Centrepoint & Southcity Liquorland Maiden (1400m) and he could be a roughie for combination bets.
Races over 1600m and 2000m will be more to his liking.
King Palm has looked handy at jumpouts.
"I like the horse, he's looking for more ground," McKay said.
La Opcion, who was a strong finishing third at Riverton on Monday, is another in the McKay stable close to retirement. After racing at either Riverton or Ascot Park next month La Opcion will return to her owner in the North Island to be bred from.
Meanwhile, Zaboraci, a maiden galloper formerly trained at Cambridge by Roger James and Robert Wellwood, has joined McKay's team.Â
Zaboraci's 10 starts yielded four fourths and three fifths in the North Island.