Walkinshaw home with fractured skull
Shane Walkinshaw was released from hospital on Monday and is back home resting and recovering, following a fall from Jennys Rose shortly after the start of race two at Ascot Park on Friday.
Walkinshaw said he has no memory of the fall or aftermath until after his arrival in hospital where he was found to have fractures at the back of his skull and three areas of his face.
“I’ve also got bumps and bruises but I’m able to walk around,” he said.
Ascot Park to host grass meeting
Grass track racing will return to Ascot Park next year for the first time in 48 years. The galloping track will be used or the entire meeting on 3 March 2018 and it is planned to run all the races over 2100 metres.
Records show the last grass track race was run at Ascot Park on 21 January 1970 and won by Moody Patch in a time of 4:29.8 for two miles.
Bonnie Joan heads to Auckland
Trainer Cran Dalgety has confirmed speedy mare Bonnie Joan, and last season’s Auckland Group race-winning filly, Bettor Joy, for the Auckland premier carnival next month.
Both Bonnie Joan and Bettor Joy performed up to expectations at the Rangiora trials on Wednesday.
Bettor Joy, finished second, with Bonnie Joan a half-neck back third, in the R1-98 mobile 2000m pace.
“I’m rapt with Bettor Joy. She’s gone up a notch and I’m looking forward to race her at Auckland,” Dalgety said.
Bonnie Joan was very good winning the Listed $40,000 Nevele R Sires Stakes Southern Mares Classic at Addington on Show Day in a 1:55.1 rate (1950m).
The Somebeachsomewhere mare has just been ticking over since and should be suited if she can find the front at Auckland.
“I’ve decided against taking Raukapuka Ruler up,” Dalgety said.
“He’s highly graded so will have to race the open class horses. He just needs to pick his foot-work up a bit more,” he said.
The $22,000 Ashburton Cup over 3200m, to be run this year on Christmas Eve, is a more likely Canterbury target for last season’s Northern Derby winner.
- NZ Harness News
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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