The Moonstone has reset

Forgotten grey trotter The Moonstone (Monkey Bones) is close to resuming for Cambridge trainer Nicky Chilcott.

After winning her first two starts as a two year old and rounding out that season with two seconds, she was put aside.

But as a three year old her form deserted her and at her last start at Alexandra Park nearly a year ago she broke and was pulled up.

“To be fair it all turned pear shaped last season. Her manners let her down more than anything. She was suffering from a problem stifle. I said to the owners it’s not ideal, but I think she needs a complete reset,” Chilcott said.

The Moonstone was sent south to Feilding and given a ten acre paddock on the hills where she remained for the next five months.

“She just roamed free and forgot about racing. We let her get over all her niggles, fully mature, and we brought her back and started again. She’s come back in a really good space. Her problems seem to be over, she’s trotting lovely at the moment and her manners have been great. Obviously, trials and races are a whole different ball game but at home she’s ticking all the boxes.”

Chilcott said The Moonstone’s physical appearance has noticeably changed.

“The change in her is monumental. It’s really worked the miracle and it’s the best thing we ever did for her. It’s funny she’s really white in the neck but her body’s a bit darker, but she’s definitely a lot whiter than she was.”

The Moonstone was due to go to the trials three weeks ago but popped a small splint.

“It’s nothing major and we’ve got on top of it. She would have been trialling today but they’re left handed and we wanted to go right handed. She’ll go to Pukekohe next week to trial.”

The Moonstone will target the Silk Road Northern Fillies and Mares Series with the first heat in early June at Alexandra Park.

“She fits into the series nicely. I wanted to avoid mobiles with her for a while because she can get a little bit wound up. Getting her away from the stands is going to be the fiddliest part of the campaign. When she gets it right she’s a rocket. But she’s very hit and miss at this stage, like a lot of horses that come out of mobile racing. It does take a bit of time to get their head round it.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink