Brilliant New Zealand-bred five-year-old John of Arc has broken down again after his superb first-up victory at the harness racing meeting at Gloucester Park last Friday night and will undergo surgery next Monday in a bid to resurrect his career.
Prominent veterinary surgeon Trevor Lindsay will employ the Platelet Rich Plasma treatment on the strongly-built gelding's damaged near-side front leg.
"John of Arc had filling in the leg after his win last Friday night," said trainer Gary Hall sen.
"This latest injury is to his near-side front suspensory ligament."
"He has damaged all his legs except his off-side hind leg."
"After the operation on Monday he'll have three weeks off, doing nothing, and then I'll get him ready for another preparation."
"He is only ever going to stand up for one or two runs; he's that type of horse."
"I'm getting used to it; the best horses are the ones who have the most problems."
"He has always had leg problems because he has bad conformation, and poor gait and he's a very heavy horse."
"He can't get around the corners and runs out in the straight."
"He's probably got as much ability as any horse I've got."
"The Interdoms are still a hope."
John of Arc reappeared after a three-month absence at Gloucester Park last Friday night when he began speedily from barrier three and gave a powerful frontrunning performance to score an effortless victory at a 1.53.4 rate over 1730m, scoring by 10m from Bettors Fire.
Ken Casellas