Star mare rocked by sickness

Star New Zealand mare Rocker Band is the latest casualty for the Brisbane harness racing winter carnival.

The carnival officially starts this Saturday night at Albion Park with a host of feature events scheduled while the next three weeks is the time to shine for the Sunshine State.

Unfortunately, Rocker Band will miss the entire carnival.

After arriving last week and joining her stablemates Delightful Memphis and Kowhai Monarch, the Mark Jones trained mare was struck down by acute case of travel sickness before being rushed to the Gatton University for further treatment.

"She was very crook when she arrived and Scott (Miller) was rather concerned, after his vet checked her over, he recommended we send her to Gatton. Since being there she has stabilised but we may have found another issue with an abscess in her back region and it may require an operation." Jones said.

Rocker Band was being considered for a number of features in the coming weeks, open class events plus the $20,000 Fleur De Lil Ladyship Stakes on July 8.

The Rocknroll Hanover – Mainland Banner finished a luckless third in the Gr.3 $31,800 Frith Stakes at TABCORP Park, Menangle on June 17.

The proven Group One winner is raced by Gold Coast businessman Greg Brodie, of Courage Under Fire fame and has enjoyed little luck on Australian soil this campaign.

"It's disappointing but her health is the most important thing because she is so valuable as a broodmare, she's a great racemare while her pedigree is as good as anything in this part of the world.

"I was looking at a number of features with her in Brisbane but the focus is getting her back to full health.

"I can't thank Scott enough for the effort he went to last week, he went above and beyond and basically saved her. I'm forever thankful to him for that."
 

Rocker Band has joined millionaire pacer Bling It On as a patient at Gatton University.

Chris Barsby