Monika Ranger brings Next To Me back to scale after his recent win at Cambridge. PHOTO: Chanelle Lawson.
Next To Me survives bad reaction to viral medication - it was touch and go for a while
By Barry Lichter • 27 July 2022
Well bred three-year-old Next To Me is recovering at a Drury veterinary clinic after reacting badly to a viral medication.
Trainer Ray Green said he treated the recent winner on Monday with a commonly used drug he’d used hundreds of times.
“But in less than a minute he was in trouble and we had to send him to the vet hospital.
“He was in a bad way, and it was touch and go for him for a while, but he’s on the improve now and the vet thinks he could be well enough to come home on Friday.”
Green says it’s extremely rare for horses to react badly to the drug.
“It’s a medicine we always use for viruses - I’ve used a gallon of it. It’s the most commonly used remedy for viruses and secondary infections and is seen universally as safe.
“It was a bit of a worry but I spoke to Jenny Sonis, at Veterinary Associates, this morning and he’s turned the corner.
“He’s such a nice little horse and it’s a shame to see him compromised like that but I’m sure he’ll bounce back.”
Next To Me, a $200,000 yearling buy, won three starts back at Cambridge and turned in another cracking run there last week when coming from the rear for second to stablemate Frankie Major.
It’s the second recent scare Next To Me has given the Lincoln Farms camp - only last month there were fears he had damaged a tendon when a lump appeared on his leg, which turned out to be only a bang.
The Bettor’s Delight gelding is from the prolific winning family of Woodlands Stud’s the late Charlie Roberts, his dam Splendid Deal having produced, among others, Victoria Derby winner Maxim (12 wins) and NZ Oaks winner Splendour (8 wins).
Second dam Splendid Dreams, a half sister to Adore Me (26 wins, 1:47.7) and Have Faith In Me (41 wins, 1:49.6, $US1.5million), was the 2015-16 Broodmare of the Year and left the champions Christen Me (51 wins, 1:49.1, $US2.4million) and Dream About Me (25 wins, $1.4million).
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Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Spirit Of God
5.44pm
“She’s definitely a chance as she has enough speed. The raw ability is there and I’m sure she’s as good as any of them ability wise. You can forget she went round at Auckland last week as she locked wheels 600 out.”
Race 1: Jessie Lincoln
5.44pm
“There’s not a lot between her and Spirit Of God. The other filly is probably a bit fitter than Jessie but she worked well today and I think she’ll be very competitive. It depends on what sort of run she gets (from eight).”
Race 5: Lincoln Maree
7.39pm
“I can’t label her as a betting proposition from the draw, and in a tougher field, but you can never discount her as you know she’ll put herself in the race. You saw what she did last week - it doesn’t matter where she draws, she’ll launch.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Marylynes Boy
5.56pm
“Last week’s run was a non-event but he went well on debut. He’d have to be a shot, drawn the inside.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.57pm
“It’s a shame he hasn’t had more economical trips - he’s had some tough runs - and keeps going good races. He should go well again.”
Race 4: Lincoln Wave
6.57pm
“He burned himself out early in the derby. There was no race for him last week but he’s training well and should be right in it. His best races have been on the front end.”
Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.56pm
“She’s got the draw and will lead out but she’s no match for Sammy Lincoln and looks better placed at Cambridge.”
Race 8: Sammy Lincoln
8.56pm
“I think he’s turned the corner and can go on with the job. He will have gained a lot in confidence from last week’s win. We haven’t really tried him out of the gate but he’s a good horse who is improving all the time.”
Race 8: Prince Lincoln
8.56pm
“He pulled too hard when caught back on the markers last week. He’s got the same inside second row draw so we’ve taken the blinds off or he’d over-race again. When he draws a (good) gate we’ll put them back on again. Obviously he’s best on the front end.”
