X-rays continue on Copy That’s knee injury and MRI scan in Canterbury a possibility

Copy That might have to fly to the South Island for further investigation if X-rays fail to reveal the exact nature of his knee injury.

Vets in Matamata continue to X-ray Copy That today and trainer Ray Green is hoping to have an answer this afternoon.

“It’s a bone in the knee but whether it’s a stress fracture or an actual fracture we don’t know yet.

“If they can’t find it, the other option is to get an MRI scan.”

Only two equine MRI scanners operate in New Zealand and Green says the Massey machine is booked out for months in advance.

“We can get into the Rangiora clinic and even with the air fare that would be cheaper as Massey is horrendously expensive.

“But we’ve got the best professionals on the job - Kara Watson here and Barbara Hunter at Matamata Veterinary Services are doing a tremendous job and hopefully we’ll know more this afternoon. They’ve taken a lot of X-rays - I’d hate to be getting the bill.”

Green said until the precise nature of the injury is known it’s impossible to speculate on Copy That’s future. But the inquiry by one breeder this morning wanting to send his mare to the horse was premature.

“A bone in the knee is compromised. It may require surgery to be screwed, but at the moment we’re still in the dark.

“Once we know, we can start a programme to bring him back. The best case scenario is he could be back in four months with rehab on a water walker.”