By Adam Hamilton
Former Kiwi star Ohoka Punter is recovering after a major health scare which threatened to derail his Perth Inter Dominion campaign.
Just 48 hours after a slashing Byford trial last Sunday, new trainer Gary Hall Sr had to rush the star pacer to a vet clinic where he spent all Tuesday night.
“It was colic. I’m so glad I picked it up really early,” Hall Sr said.
“We worked him and he didn’t quite seem right towards the end. Then he was clearly uncomfortable and laying down so that’s when I called the vet.”
Thankfully Ohoka Punter responded well to treatment through Tuesday night and was back at Hall Sr’s yesterday (Wednesday) morning.
“All the signs are good now. He seemed so much better as the day (Wednesday) went on so I gave him a light jog in the afternoon and he seemed good and bright,” the trainer said.
Ohoka Punter was supposed to tackle the fast-class race at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Now Hall Sr hopes he condition will continue improve so he can substitute the run with fast work on Saturday morning.
“He won’t have lost much in fitness, it was just 24 hours, but I did plan on running him this week,” he said.
“The upside is he seems good again and if stays like I’ll be able to get a really good workout into him on Saturday which should get him back on track.
“I was so excited after the trial and then this hit. I thought the Inter Dominion was over at first, but thankfully getting him to the vet so quickly got us back on top of things.
“I just hope the next couple of days go well and he’s ready for a solid hitout on the weekend.”
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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