More tests for Zealand Star after sudden lameness baffles Green

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.