NZ HARNESS NEWS
Classy Otago mare New Years Jay has one again been retired after fracturing a hind leg while jogging.
The veteran daughter of Washington VC ran second in the Hannon Memorial at Oamaru on September 24 and was subsequently sent for a brief let-up by trainer Graeme Anderson.
But it soon became apparent that she had broken down and co-owner Brian Anderton, a Hall Of Fame galloping trainer, was quick to retire her again.
“She got a fracture in a hind cannon bone; she had just gone back to the stables and went a bit sore.”
While it was a disappointing turn of events for connections, she was likely to only have two more career starts anyway.
“Graeme wanted to race her in the Tuapeka Cup (October 22) and then the Fillies and Mares’ race at Addington on Show Day (November 17).
“That was going to be it.”
The eight-race winner was retired last year after caretaker Auckland trainer Barry Purdon sent her home to Dunedin with a back issue, but after failing to get in foal to Bettor’s Delight she returned to work with Anderson.
An effort will now be made to try and put her in foal once again, third-year sire Sweet Lou the suitor.
New Years Jay only raced 30 times in her career, one which started with a herculean performance to win her debut as a late four-year-old at Forbury Park.
She was subsequently disqualified because of an early gallop and then injured a tendon, spending two years on the sidelines.
She came in to her own as a seven-year-old, winning six off 11 races.
“She was a very good mare; she had brilliant speed,” said Anderton.
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