Zealand Star pictured winning at Cambridge. PHOTO: FokusPhotography.
More tests for Zealand Star after sudden lameness baffles Green
By Barry Lichter • 20 March 2019
Trainer Ray Green is hoping a second vet can find what’s ailing Zealand Star who suddenly went lame on Tuesday.
Zealand Star, who has proved a revelation since Green took the horse over for Australian owner Merv Butterworth, walked to morning trackwork seemingly fine but was lame as soon as stepped off in a pace.
“We had lots of X-rays taken but couldn’t find anything,’’ says Green. “It’s in the stifle area but it must be a soft tissue thing.
“He’s obviously done something to himself in the night. He walks OK but once he’s out of a walk he’s lame as.’’
Green has summoned another vet to Lincoln Farms tomorrow in the hope they can find the problem.
The stifle area is the largest and most complicated joint in the horse’s body and injuries can be notoriously difficult to pinpoint.
“Until they suss out what’s wrong I have no way of knowing how long he will be out.’’
Zealand Star was to have run in the sixth race at Auckland on Friday night, back to a mobile after again struggling with a standing start last week.
Five starts back at Cambridge he showed what he was capable of when setting a track record 1:54.8 for 1700 metres.
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Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.14pm
“She went pretty well last week considering they came a fast last half (56.3) and she sat parked from the 800. She’s back to the amateur grade, and should get a good run from the two draw, so hopefully we can get a bit of cash.”
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
6.38pm
“He didn’t handle the right-handed bends at Auckland last week (galloping at the 300) so we’ll stick to Cambridge from now on. There’s a bit of gate speed in the race so Harry (Harrison Orange) should be able to sit in somewhere. I think he’s a good chance to run top three.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.59pm
“He’s racing very well. He would have run second last week (to American Me) had he not spooked at the winning post. These are tidy horses he’s racing against but he’s holding his own.”
Race 1: Kevin Kline
5.59pm
“He’ll go better back to a mobile start. He did well to finish so close last week after a slow start than having to do all the donkey work when parked for the last lap. Maurice really likes him because he just puts him into cruise control and he keeps going.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.58pm
“She’s not as good as the other filly but some lift their game when the money’s up so maybe she can pick up a cheque.”
Race 3: Lincoln’s Spice
6.58pm
“She looks a pretty decent chance of winning. She’s a real little tradesman, does nothing wrong, is easy to handle, is a nice drive, tries hard, is great gaited and has the potential to get stronger.”
Race 5: Tyson
7.51pm
“We found out he raced with a virus last time. The next morning snot was pouring out his nose and that’s why he didn’t finish it off as well as we expected. He only whacked away in the run home. With that gone, he should race better.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
7.51pm
“I think he’ll be competitive and he’s the best of ours in the race. He won well last week and has trained on well. He’s promising. I couldn’t go as far as to say he’s a classic colt yet but we’ll find out soon enough.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.51pm
“He’s doing my head in. He had no excuse for breaking last week. Maurice (McKendry) didn’t blame the wet track. He said he was gliding along, travelling beautifully, when for no apparent reason he put in big steps. I’ll put a hood on him this time to see if it’s a nervous issue.”
Race 8: The Rascal
9.23pm
“All going well, he should win what is a poor maiden field. He’s elevated himself from the transfer list and is going well now. He doesn’t have huge gate speed, so he may not lead but he should get a good trip from one. On paper, he’s our best chance of the night.”
