Sundees Son is to undergo stem cell treatment as his connections eye up a third Dominion title with the superstar trotter in November.
The reigning horse of the year is currently in the Waikato where he’s had his annual scintigraphy examination with Dr Barb Hunter at the Matamata Vet Clinic.
“The result is very similar to the last two years with his off-hind fetlock needing attention,” says Sundees Son’s breeder Colin Hair, who races the horse with his wife Nancy.
But this time Dr Hunter and Sundees Son’s regular vet Sam Taylor have decided on a new approach.
“Barb has had excellent success with treating sore knees with stem cells and we had a discussion with all parties and the mutual decision was made to use this new treatment,” says Hair.
“He will then go to Margaret Park to spend four weeks on the water treadmill, before heading back to the beach in Christchurch to prepare for another tilt at the Dominion.”
It’s expected his recovery will see him bypass the Group Three Ordeal Cup at Addington in September, which he has won for the past three years.
“That will still give us four or so races before the Dominion.”
The Dominion is trotting’s equivalent of the New Zealand Cup and Sundees Son has a proud record in the 3200 metre Group One, having won it in 2020 and 2021.
“The prognosis after his scintigraphy and treatment gives us confidence he will come back as good as he’s ever been,” says Colin, “Nancy and I are looking forward to the up-coming season.”
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