Health check – Oscar B and Millwood N

After a below par run at Addington ten days ago Oscar Bonavena (Majestic Son) is back on track and left for Auckland this morning for two major harness racing assignments.

The eight year old stallion finished last in the Lamb and Hayward Classic at Addington – a performance that was completely out of character.

“He just tied up really bad through that race. I can’t really put my finger on it and I probably killed him with kindness with his feed. He’s not a typical stallion that’s big and round and carrying a lot of excess weight. It may be the fact that he was thriving at this time of year and doing a bit too well. It’s something that can occur (tying up), but you don’t want it to happen on the big nights. It’s good to know that there was an issue there that can be resolved pretty quickly,” co-trainer Nathan Purdon said.

He said a blood test was done on the horse on the Monday after the run and he’s been treated accordingly.

Oscar Bonavena will race in the Group Two Trotters Flying Mile at Cambridge next Thursday before taking his slot in the Listed $575,000 TAB Trot eight days later.

Prior to his last start Oscar Bonavena was on a six run winning streak which includes the G1 Livamol New Zealand Trotting Free For All and the G1 Renwick Farms Dominion.

Meanwhile Millwood Nike (Captaintreacherous) is progressing well in her recovery after tearing a tendon.

“She had another scan a week or two ago and it’s very positive so far. The things on the checklist have all been ticked and the vets are pleased with her progress and how everything is looking.”

Purdon said Millwood Nike will start a light programme on the treadmill and water walker in two to three weeks.

“She’ll spend four to six weeks doing that, then we can introduce her to the track again quietly. We might need to stress the leg a little bit, back off, then maybe put her back on the water walker and let it settle before coming back to the track. The leg has still got a long way to go before it can absorb the pressure of racing. So far it’s all positive news.”

Purdon says Millwood Nike has been a good patient.

“It’s a little bit surprising because she’s quite a highly strung mare. I think she knows she’s hurt and we’re trying to help her. She’s smart enough to work that out.”

Purdon says Millwood Nike won’t be seen back at the track until next year.

“She’s going to have to race against the boys if she comes back.”

In her seventeen start career Millwood Nike is unbeaten and she’s banked $690,932 for her owners Steve Byrne, Frank Endacott, Steve Thompson, Bruce Irvine and Shane Endacott.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink