Early indications are good for Cold Chisel

No news is good news for top class three-year-old harness racing pacer Cold Chisel (Always B Miki).

The Northern Derby winner pulled up very lame after Monday’s Flying Stakes at Ashburton on Monday and was taken to a veterinary clinic in the horse ambulance.

But so far fears of a potential major leg injury haven’t become reality with extensive x-rays showing no damage.

“The vets can’t find anything,” says co-trainer Scott Phelan.

“That is not to say there isn’t a hairline fracture there somewhere that won’t become more apparent in coming days, which they sometimes do.

“But at the moment we have no idea what has happened and I suppose that is good because if it had been an obvious issue it probably would have been more major.

“He is still lame today (Tuesday) and I wouldn’t be surprised if there is maybe a small fracture there, even in something like a pedal bone.

“But even if that is the case it means after a break and box and paddock rest he could race again.

“And more importantly live a full life once he has finished racing.

“So we will let people know as we know more.”

Cold Chisel won’t be seen at the races any time soon and that clearly includes the brand new $500,000 Hill Lee and Scott THE VELOCITY at Addington’s Show Day Twilight races on Friday, November 15.

He had already been secured for the race by his owner and Entain boss Dean Shannon.

Meanwhile the stable’s three open class horses are heading down different paths potentially meeting up in the $1m IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup on November 12.

Merlin came through his Flying Stakes win in great shape and heads straight to the Cup while Mach Shard will go to the Kaikoura Cup next Monday.

Miracle Mile runner-up Sooner The Better also heads to Kaikoura but will miss the Cup there and instead start in the $50,000 NZBS Yearling Sales Series Pace.

by Michael Guerin, for Harness Racing New Zealand