Chicago Bull and Gary Hall junior in one of the best of their 40 wins.
Chicago Bull shock withdrawal from New Zealand Cup after freak accident
By Barry Lichter • 30 October 2018
Perth pacer Chicago Bull is out of the New Zealand Trotting Cup after a freak accident and he will be sidelined for at least four months.
Gary Hall junior told www.lincolnfarms.co.nz Chicago Bull has fractured bones in his wither and will have to be boxed for at least two months.
Hall is still coming to terms with the terrible diagnosis, made only an hour ago after X-rays at a Cambridge veterinary clinic revealed the damage.
The horse was undergoing routine treatment with fluids and electrolytes after his stunning win at Alexandra Park last Friday night when he had an anaphylactic reaction.
“He panicked and went flying back, flipped and landed on his wither. He’s had the treatment heaps of times and my vet back home says it’s just a one-in-a-million chance.
“He was in a bad way for an hour but then started walking and things looked all good.
‘‘I even jogged him on Sunday and Monday and everything seemed all right.
‘‘But when I checked him in the afternoons he wasn’t great. He looked uncomfortable walking.
“Even then we thought it was not that bad, just muscle soreness and stiffness.
“But when we treated him with anti-inflammatories and he didn’t get any better we decided to take him for X-rays today.
“We still didn’t have any real concerns but the X-rays showed he’s fractured all six bones in his wither. The long term prognosis is pretty good though and they say he should make a full recovery.
“They reckon he’ll get over it in four months but he’ll have to be boxed for the first half of that.
“It’s just one of those things. I’ve been in this game long enough to know it’s not the first time something like this has happened.
“We’re still not home from the vet yet and I feel like I just want to go to bed and try to put it out of my mind.’’
Hall says it’s particularly hard to take being so far from home in Western Australia.
It was too soon to even think about when he might be able to transport Chicago Bull home but he would need time to recover here first.
TAB bookmakers reacted immediately promoting Ultimate Machete to $3.60 favourite for the November 13 feature with Australian Tiger Tara second fancy at $3.90.
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Bang! Lincoln Wave’s tyre blows out, startling rival drivers but Alabar win would shock more
Cheapies The Night Fox and Lincoln Maree keep the tally ticking over at Cambridge
Our runners this week
Friday night at Auckland
Sammy Lincoln, Prince Lincoln, Lincoln Wave, Leo Lincoln, Jessie Lincoln (scratched).
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.44pm
“She did well here last time as she had to do a bit to get to the lead and she dug in and fought on. She’s certainly a chance if she repeats that effort.”
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
7.09pm
“I thought she went super last time after doing a lot of work. She can do that because she has an engine and is tough. She’s a bit one-dimensional - you have to turn her loose early - but from the two draw she should be able to lead and that’s where she does her best work.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.34pm
“I think he’s a bit stronger after his spell. It’s not a great field - most will die on that mark - and I don’t see a problem with the standing start as he’s nicely gaited. He could be marginally unfit after three months out but he’s done quite a bit of work and I can see him going a half-decent race.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.59pm
“She had every chance last time but I can’t see why she won’t go well again. She’s as honest as they come and tries like hell.”
Race 7: The Night Fox
8.29pm
“You’d think he’d lead easily from the inside. He’s had bad draws and still got the money, so I’m sure he’ll go another good race. I’m surprised they sold him so cheaply. He’s better than people think.”
