First race back from the broken foot

Today was a very big day in the life of Sonny. Having being nursed back from the broken foot, and having come through his preparation and 2 trials without any issues, it was time to see if he still had the fight to win and whether he was good enough to do so.

I was back in Gero for xmas, and it was my first time to see Sonny race.

My "voodoo" on track is well known, and the bookies turned him out a couple of points as a sign of respect that when I am on track my horses cannot win. 

Our game plan was simple, jump, sit-in, power home.

He absolutely blitzed the start and was a clear leader from gate #1 over the 1300m. Meeres then settled him down, and he dropped the bit and lobbed along just off the pace on the fence.


The disaster struck. Bali Cruisers rider pushed into the lead and then put the brakes on. The horses that were in front  pushed off to go outside of it, and Bali Cruiser came back into the front of Sonny. He got a horrid check and was pushed back 2-3lengths. This was at a crucial time when the rest of the field was moving forward. It cost us dearly and meant that the jock had to get him settled, re-aligned, and then moving forward again.

A gap opened as we rounded the corner, but Sonny "baulked" at it...refusing to go into it, so Meeres switched him back to the rails and rode him home.

He came home nicely, but the race was already over after the check. 

We finished a close up 7th with a wall of other horses. Had we not being checked, I think he would have won.

The Gods are still playing games with me...note to Lodgers...keep me off the track

G'Yup

PS He looked a treat. 

Snap-Crackle-Pop....the foot is broke

Today was heartbreaking. 

We went into the race with the wind behind us, thinking we had the field covered, and the guns came out to back our Champ. 

His run was perfect. Settling back off the pace, and coming into the straight with the wind behind him. But disaster has dealth us a cruel blow. I'm not able to write much more, as Sonny has broken a bone in his foot. It is bad. We are unsure of what this means at this stage, but he has been one hell of a soldier and this is not the way to go out.

We will look at options over the next few days after the Wizard knows more.