Promising pacer humanely put down

Astute New South Wales trainer Colin Thomas experienced the highs and lows of harness racing this week.

Just days after registering one of his biggest victories at Tabcorp Park Menangle when successful with rising star Bettermatch, Thomas had to humanely put down stable ‘King’, Business In Motion.

One of the state’s most promising pacers, Business In Motion’s demise was the result of a freak paddock accident.

Having also competed at Menangle, Business In Motion was placed in his usual paddock upon return to Thomas’ property the following day where he was set to enjoy an easy week.

The following morning, however, Thomas discovered the entire impaled on a metal pole in his groin.

Although Business In Motion had a few cuts from the incident, the son of Courage Under Fire “appeared to be okay.”

In fact, the four-year-old even ate his lunch!

“A mare in one of the back paddocks had escaped and he must have reared up and come down on top of a metal post,” Thomas explained. “Once I washed him off, I tended to a couple of cuts, but it didn’t seem that bad.

“I checked on him all day and he appeared to be okay, he even had a feed.

“Later in the afternoon when I checked him he had swelled up around the cuts and was haemorrhaging pretty badly…he must have pierced himself right up his ‘old fella’.

“In the end, I had no choice and it was the humane thing to do.”

A classy performer, Business In Motion won his first five starts before finishing his freshman season with 10 wins.

Making steady progress through the grades at three and four, Business In Motion’s record sits on 20 wins and 13 placings from 43 starts for earnings of $161,840.

On a brighter note, Bettermatch has “pulled up well” from his latest victory, which saw the son of Kenneth J maintain his unbeaten sequence from four starts.

Thrilled with the two-year-old’s progress, Thomas has aimed Bettermatch at several key features.

“That was his toughest run to date and he has pulled up well,” Thomas said. “Steve said he thought the horse may have been gone up the straight, but when he put a couple on his bum, he responded well.

“Only good horses find extra under pressure and he is a serious racehorse.

“I will set him for the Bathurst Crown next. He is eligible for the Breeders’ Challenge, Vicbred and Breeders’ Crown, but I don’t want to overtax him.

“Even if he goes in all of those, he won’t do much between the heats and Finals.”

• PAUL COURTS