NZ HARNESS NEWS
The New Zealand Cup campaign of exciting pacer Captain Dolmio is over.
The former Southland pacer (seven wins in 24 starts), who is now trained at the Woodend Beach branch of the Robert Dunn stable, was due to take his place in Saturday’s $30,000 New Brighton Cup (2600m stand) at Addington, but was a notable omission from the nominations.
That came off the back of him missing the Maurice Holmes Vase 10 days ago and stable driver John Dunn confirmed the worst possible news for the Otago-Southland based owners and supporters of the rising talent on Tuesday.
“He’s got a bit of an issue in his near-hind leg,” Dunn said.
“It’s not a real serious injury, but it’s got the potential to become a really serious one, so we have decided we are better off taking that risk away.”
What makes the pill such a bitter one to swallow is that up until the niggles surfaced, all had been progressing well for the six-year-old.
He’d won a couple of trials and impressed Dunn.
“It’s a big blow for us, we were really excited about how he was shaping up.
“But hopefully it will be the best thing for the horse going forward, if we get it sorted now then it shouldn’t cause us much concern down the track.”
The injury will see Captain Dolmio sidelined for at least four months.
Ranked eighth on the order of entry into the NZ Cup and rated a $16 chance with TAB bookmakers, Captain Dolmio’s withdrawal hurts the overall make up of the cup field as he was a true two-miler.
It’s been a tough week for the Dunn camp as they also had to withdraw Cullect A Guinness from the cup after he injured himself and has been retired.
They still have Alta Orlando, Franco Cristiano and Robbie Burns nominated, but all three are down the entry list.
Both Alta Orlando and Franco Cristiano will be in action today at the Rangiora workouts.
They join Locharburn as early defections from the cup nominations, with only 26 horses remaining, including defending champion Lazarus.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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