By Michael Guerin
A season that started so well is set to end on a disappointing note for Hughie Green.
The four-year-old who pushed Have Faith In Me so close in the Auckland Cup is likely to head to the paddock after a shock and expensive failure at Alexandra Park on Friday night.
The exciting pacer led but then dropped out when challenged in the Kumeu Stakes, won by Hug The Wind, who remains unbeaten in the care of new trainer Barry Purdon.
Hughie Green’s trainer Brian Hughes was having blood tests done on the son of Art Major today but believes he has failed to recover from an ongoing viral complaint.
“There has been a virus going around and I think it has bothered him about three times now,” says Hughes.
“Clearly that wasn’t him last night and Tony (Herlihy, stand-in driver) said he was doing his best at the 600m.
“So something is bothering him and unless the blood tests suggest it is something we can fix quickly, he will probably go to the paddock.”
The timing couldn’t be worse for Hughie Green as in peak form he would have been favourite for the Taylor Mile (April 22) and Messenger (April 29) at Alexandra Park as well as his $150,000 division of the Harness Jewels at Cambridge on June 4 because his arch rival Have Faith In Me is already bypassing those races.
If Hughie Green is sidelined then Hug The Wind emerges as the early favourite for that trio of group ones.
A NSW Derby runner-up when trained by Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen, Hug The Wind has been impressive in his two northern starts for new trainer Barry Purdon, whose owners bought shares in the four-year-old.
The other highlight at Alexandra Park on Friday was the battle between Spanish Armada and Delightful Memphis in the two-year-old fillies Sires’ Stakes heat, the former coming out on top after having the better run but the runner-up just as impressive.
And Scarrymcleary warmed up for the Anzac Cup (April 22) and Rowe Cup (April 29) with an easy win over Yagunnakissmeornot in the main trot, the former pacer coming off a 30m handicap to win well.
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