ARABIAN GOLD'S SETBACK: FIRST SEAL'S HEAD ABRASIONS: OUR BOY MALACHI'S IMPRESSIVE TRIAL

By Graham Potter | Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Doncaster Mile contender Arabian Gold was found to be lame in the offside leg after its work on Monday morning. On examination a corn was discovered in that foot. Arabian Gold had its shoe removed and a poultice applied. Arabian Gold has not missed any work but will have to gallop again (on Thursday) to the satisfaction of the stewards before being cleared to start in Saturday’s $3 million race.

Abrasions on the head of First Seal, who just missed out as a short-priced favourite in the Vinery Stakes last Saturday, has been found on the top of her head. The cause remains a mystery as neither (trainer) John Thompson, (jockey) James McDonald or the stewards, who viewed the patrol films, could find any evidence of where the abrasions occurred. Racing NSW Senior Official Veterinarian Dr Craig Suann confirmed the presence of the abrasions and advised that the blood present in First Seal’s near-side nostril was not consistent with a lung haemorrhage. The filly must still gallop satisfactorily before stewards before her next start.

Queensland star Our Boy Malachi, now in the care of the Hawkes training partnership after transferring from the John O’Sing stable in North Queensland, impressed in his Monday morning barrier trial at Rosehill. Our Boy Malachi, who was having his first trial since winning the the Listed Razor Sharp at Randwick in December, won the 896m trial in 52.5 seconds. The Gr 3 Hall Mark stakes has been pencilled in as Our Boy Malachi likely first-up option where he will look to add to is already formidable record of 16 wins from 18 starts.

It’s not only Queensland singing the ‘Racing Surface Blues. In NSW, next Wednesday’s meeting originally scheduled for Randwick’s Kensington track, will be moved to another venue (probably Warwick Farm) after recent gallops on the surface showed it’s still not fit to host a race meeting.

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