NZ HARNESS NEWS
Former champion racehorse and sire Somebeachsomewhere has died in America aged 13.
He had been battling ill-health since a cancerous tumour was discovered in his intestine in November.
Racing in the mid-2000s, the son of Mach Three won 20 of his 21 starts and over US$3.3 Million under the training of Brent MacGrath and held eight world records when he retired.
He retired to stud in 2009, standing at Hanover Shoe Farms in Pennsylvania, and immediately left his mark, producing the freakish Captaintreacherous (US$3.1 Million) and Little Brown Jug winner Limelight Beach among 13 millionaires.
Somebeachsomewhere was available for a number of seasons via frozen semen Down Under, but only shuttled here once – in 2012.
He stood at Empire Stallions in Victoria and served 75 mares in New Zealand that term.
Among his New Zealand-born progeny are Bonnie Joan, Somejoy and Opoutama while the best of his Australian-born foals are Waikiki Beach, Cable Beach, Menin Gate, Petacular and Nostra Beach.
Lazarus under injury cloud
Champion pacer Lazarus is likely to miss Friday night’s A$400,000 WA Pacing Cup after suffering what is believed to be bruising in his feet.
After a gallant defeat at Gloucester Park in last Friday night’s Fremantle Cup, where he ran second to My Hard Copy, Lazarus was noticeably ginger on his hooves the next day.
“It looks like just a bruise in the foot and I think that is what it is,” said co-trainer Mark Purdon on the stable’s website.
And it’s not just this week’s Perth feature that could be in jeopardy, either.
“I think the Hunter Cup could be in doubt.
“But that is only a gut feeling.
“With some luck it won’t be as bad as that.”
The A$500,000 Hunter Cup is at Melton, in Victoria, on February 3.
Stablemate Ultimate Machete, fourth in the Fremantle Cup, was stood down by Stewards after the race after being found to be lame in the offside front leg.
Racing and Wagering West Australia Chairperson of Stewards, Barbara Scott, advises that a veterinary clearance will be required before Ultimate Machete can be accepted as a starter for the WA Cup.
“We would need to have that vet certificate before he is drawn in to the field tomorrow.”
Scott said she had not had any correspondence from Purdon regarding either horse.
Purdon noted that Ultimate Machete was on the improve and was still a chance of making the WA Cup.
“We have poulticed his foot and he is walking without a problem.
“With progress like that he should be, ok but we can’t say for sure.”
- NZ Harness News
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