Jacob Duggan sidelined after trackwork accident

Harness racing driver Jacob Duggan will be sidelined from the sulky for approximately six weeks following a trackwork accident in the thoroughbred code on Monday.

Jacob was dislodged from his mount, which resulted in him sustaining a compression fracture to his L3.

“He is good as can be expected under the circumstances.

“He fractured his L3, but the vertebrae has not moved at all. It’s still in place, so they haven’t had to operate, and they are hoping it heals like that,” said Jacob’s father, Adrian.

Adrian prepared a training treble at Carrick Park last Sunday, and has three runners racing this weekend.

“I was happy with them all going into the meeting. It’s hard enough to get one winner at a meeting, so getting three was great.

Adrian has three runners engaged this weekend, including Sue Nien, who will contest the third race in Launceston on Friday night.

“She is always there about and is as honest as the day is long, and she tries her heart out.

“She is not blessed with ability but always tries,” said Adrian about the mare who has finished no further back than fifth in 11 of her last 12 starts with Dylan Ford booked for the drive.

Adrian has two runners engaged on the Hobart card on Sunday, both of whom will be driven by his brother Ricky, who returns to the sulky after an overseas holiday.

Their chances include Emer, who is having her first start in the state.

The winner of six races hasn’t been seen since coming from back in the field to finish third at Marybrough on 6 November.

“She has got a bit of decent form about her.

“She is only a little mare with a good turn of foot, and with the right run, she shouldn’t be too far away.

Adrian rates Miki Joe, in the night’s final race as his best winning chance.

“He is a nice horse.

“It took awhile for him to break his maiden in Victoria, and the two runs we have given him have been really good. He is a big strong bugger that probably lacks a bit of toe, but he will run 29s, 30s quarters all day,” said the trainer.

Friday’s Launceston meeting will be shown on Sky Racing 2 from 17:24, with the Hobart card on Sunday sees Sky Racing 2 covering race 1 at 17:24, with races two to nine to be televised on Sky Racing 1.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Duncan Dornauf, for Tasracing