Major injury fears for Mister Smartee

CHAMPION harness racing trainer Gary Hall Sr fears his stable star Mister Smartee has “done a tendon” and faces a long stint on the sidelines.

The news comes after the five-year-old’s luckless sixth in last night’s epic Group 1 WA Pacing Cup won by Minstrel.

“I checked him when he got home and he seemed fine, but I always go out the morning after they race to have a look and I knew there was a problem,” Hall Sr said.

“We won’t know for sure until we get it scanned tomorrow, but I’ve seen these before and I’m pretty sure it’s a tendon.

“I was pretty gutted. He hasn’t realised his full potential yet, this horse. He’s only raced 32 times.”

The former Kiwi pacer shot to stardom in Australia with his huge Nullarbor/Fremantle Cup double on April 25 and May 2 this year.

“All we can hope is that it’s not too bad. He’s still quite young, so he’ll have the chance to make it back,” Hall Sr said.

Fears of serious injury to Mister Smartee is the second major blow to Hall Sr in recent months.

His superstar three-year-old Cyclone Jordy, a winner of 13 of his 15 starts, looked to have the WA Derby at his mercy before injury.

Cyclone Jordy bowed a tendon in late September.

“We’ll get him back. It’s looking good so far,” Hall Sr said. “He’ll get the full eight months out, so we won’t start back on him until April.”

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing Australia