It was announced last night on Trackside that the runner up in last years New Zealand Cup, Franco Nelson had suffered a pedal bone injury which has brought his tilt at this years New Zealand Cup to a halt.
Details were sketchy but it appears he will have several months on the sideline while he recuperates under the care of his trainer Michael House.
His NZ Cup heroics last year when he was caught in the last stride by Adore Me which he followed with an outstanding run in the New Zealand Free For All displayed the high class racehorse that he is.
Nursed through that campaign by his then trainer Robert Dunn, Franco Nelson looked to have it all in front of him but sadly his form fell away on a northern campaign due to recurring foot issues .
Franco Nelson has always been troubled by foot issues throughout his career which is why he had been moved to the Dunn barn on the beach in the first place.
Then to everybody's surprise in the industry, the owners Clive and Rona McKay moved Franco Nelson from the Dunn stable to the Michael House barn.
Reappearing at the trials from the House barn in September, Franco Nelson ran an okay fourth first up at the Addington trials but his two follow up trials were very poor, finishing last on both occasions.
Time was already running out to have Franco Nelson ready for a grueling two miles in the New Zealand Cup and his withdrawal now due to an injury is a shame as he would have added something to the New Zealand Cup which is down a bit on quality this year.
Lets hope Franco Nelson can come through this latest problem and make it back to the racetrack in the future.
Harnesslink Media