The casualty ward for what is usually the glamour race of Harness Jewels day is getting crowded. Second favourite Say My Name is in danger of missing his $150,000 division at Cambridge on June 4 after being scratched from Alexandra Park tomorrow night.
Driver John Dunn says the gelding, who is unbeaten in three starts this season, is still being troubled by a hock problem.
“We don’t really know how he got it,” admits Dunn. “It happened somewhere between when he left here (Canterbury) before the Taylor Mile meeting and settled in the north and we thought we were on top of it.
“But he wasn’t right today so we have pulled him out of Friday night. “That isn’t ideal as a Jewels lead-up and because he is such a good horse, if he doesn’t improve soon he will probably miss the Jewels too.”āØ
The timing of Say My Name’s injury could hardly have been worse as the four-year-old division which looked freakish mid-season has seen Auckland Cup quinella mates Have Faith In Me and Hughie Green both pull out as well as Costa Del Magnifico, Itz Bettor To Win (exported) and Maverick.
While Field Marshal has emerged as a serious open class horse there are plenty in the division looking weary after huge seasons and Say My Name, the fresh horse on the scene, is the second favourite with the TAB, although probably not for long.
By Michael Guerin