Bone chips in both ankles stop brave Tommy but Ray says it’s only a hiccup

Tommy Lincoln’s golden spring and summer is over after he was diagnosed at the weekend with bone chips in both front ankles.

Trainer Ray Green noticed swelling in the horse’s ankles the morning after he beat one home in the Lincoln Farms Franklin Cup.

X-rays taken by his vet Lindsay Colwell revealed the chips which Green said were a “decent” size as they were fairly obvious.

“They need to come out so hopefully we can get that done soon.”

Tommy Lincoln will have arthroscopic surgery done by Veterinary Associates’ specialist Lacy Kamm.

“The prognosis is usually good but chips can do damage to cartilage if they swish round in the joint. We won’t know the extent of the damage until they go in. She may need to tidy it all up.”

Green says while it’s impossible to know when the injury happened, driver Andre Poutama reported after the race that Tommy had hit his knee a few times in the running.

“He didn’t track up that good on Friday night so he probably had an issue then,” Green said.

Part-owner Debbie Sparks records Tommy Lincoln’s heroic return to scale after the Summer Cup.Despite that, Tommy Lincoln still finished only 5.9 lengths behind winner Spankem, showing the bravery that has earmarked his racing all season.

“The injury isn’t life threatening - it’s just inconvenient as it will keep him away from the races for a few months.

“But he’s done a super job so we can’t complain.”

In 12 starts this season Tommy has racked up four wins and three seconds for earnings of $51,455.

His best win came just 10 days ago when he downed superstar stablemate Copy That in the Summer Cup with a trademark all-the-way win.

On October 30 he also paced a 1:54.4 mile in beating former top liner Star Galleria over a mile.

His career record now stands at eight wins and five placings from 26 starts for $93,515.