Oh God.
Poor boy.
He's been through so much now.....
Sad.
Jubilation and despair for Xcellent 19 Jan 2008
By Jeff Dore
Jubilation quickly turned to heartache for connections of Xcellent (6 B. G. Pentire – Excelo) when rider Michael Coleman dismounted the champion galloper beyond the winning post after recording an emphatic victory in the $100,000 Group III WRC Trentham Stakes (2400m) raced under weight-for-age conditions at Trentham on Saturday.
Once led back to the stable enclosure Xcellent had ice applied to his leg and was soon on the road to Massey University for diagnosis and treatment. While the outcome of the injury saga is not life threatening, it is suspected that a cracked canon bone in his nearside foreleg or a suspensory ligament injury may have occurred.
Xcellent wasn’t the only casualty in a race marred by injury. Both third placed Everswindell (Align) and Twinkling (Star Way) pulled up lame, with Everswidell sporting suspected cannon bone problems, and Twinkling a fetlock injury.
Prior to the fateful outcome post-race, it had been the Xcellent of old careering down the centre of the track to victory. After biding his time at the rear of a nine-horse field, Xcellent appeared to have plenty of petrol in the tank when Coleman eased him into a challenging position at the 400 metres. He quickly swept to the lead, established a winning break, and sustained his run to the line.
Three Chimneys (Generous) gave a rousing performance for third with a view to his assault on the Group I Century City Developments Wellington Cup (3200m) at Trentham next Saturday, while Everswindell capped terrific recent form to finish third.
The first three across the line dominated the race, with margins of one length, a neck, then three and a quarter lengths to fourth.
It was dreadful for all that had witnessed the race, whether it was live or by other means, to have rooted for the hot-favourite and champ to get home, and then watch him return with the knowledge that something was amiss.
For his owners G W Breingan, G K V Holdings Ltd, M J Gatt, P A Heath, D A Nicholson & Wellington Racing Syndicate, trainers Mike and Paul Moroney, breeder G F Gimblett Family Trust, rider Michael Coleman, and all the staff associated with the horse, it is genuinely hoped that Xcellent can make a full recovery.
Xcellent’s record stands at thirteen starts for eight wins and stakes of $1,643,325.
http://www.thoroughbrednews.co.nz/nz/?id=33160