Cracker Hill injured again

Unfortunately quality harness racing trotter Cracker Hill (Muscle Hill) is on the sideline again.

The five year old last started in the 2020 Dominion Handicap at Addington and had returned to trainer Brad Williamson’s Oamaru barn. But a suspensory issue has put his comeback on hold.

Williamson says he’s unsure how long the gelding will be out for, as he’s having on-going discussion with his vet and Woodend Beach trainer Greg Hope.

“We’ve put some stem cells in. We hope to have him working on Greg’s walker for a while so what amount of time off and rehabilitation he’ll need I’m still not sure,” he said.

The Muscle Hill gelding has won seven of his sixteen starts, his biggest being the Group Three Hambletonian at Ashburton. He also recorded a number of Group and Listed placings.

“We’re going to give him one more go and hopefully things can hold together. There have been horses that have come back from a suspensory but others that haven’t. It depends on the injury, the horse and a bit of luck.”

Cracker Hill gave Williamson’s training career a great start and he’s still hopeful the horse can return to the racetrack.

“He’s the sort of horse you dream of getting as a young trainer. He was one of the first yearlings I had in my stable when I started training. I did get him because he was passed in at the sales and his confirmation has never been great. We’ve had a hell of a ride and just when it looked like he was coming into open class and competing in Group Ones this happens.”

by Bruce Stewart