Whether or not last season’s Horse of the Year, Monbet, makes it back onto the track this season is sitting in limbo.
The Dominion Handicap winner of last month will undergo a minor operation on Tuesday to have a bone chip removed from a knee after it was discovered following his Group One double during Cup Week.
Co-trainer Greg Hope, who trains with his wife Nina, said the bone chip was only a minor issue, but it was something he felt needed to be sorted out.
“It’s nothing too serious, but it’s there and we are better off getting on top of it,” Hope said.
“We had him x-rayed after Cup Week and it came up there. He’ll have it removed on Tuesday.”
After the operation, Monbet will be required to be boxed for up to six weeks which leaves the rest of his season in doubt according to Hope.
That means no Australia for the Great Southern Star and even races like the Rowe Cup, which he won last year, are also in doubt.
“We obviously won’t be rushing him, there’s no need too.
“We will give him the time he needs and then bring him up and see where we are at before making any decisions.”
The loss of Monbet is another blow for the open class trotting ranks who continue to be depleted by injuries.
Speeding Spur is still on the sidelines and the news from the Stent camp isn’t encouraging.
His co-trainer, Colin DeFilippi confirmed last night that there had been another setback on the comeback trail.
“His leg has blown up again, so I’m not really sure where we are at.
“We won’t be doing anything for at least couple of weeks.”
Master Lavros is on the right path to make it to Auckland which is encouraging but the ball is firmly in the court of Marcoola who will head to Methven on Sunday and then to Auckland.
While it was a tough week for the Hopes, they did gain some small consolation when Everybody Knows continued his march towards open class with another strong victory last night at Addington.
The diminutive trotter worked hard during the final lap of the race but was too good for his opposition, picking up his third win in his last five starts.
HRNZ News