By Adam Hamilton
THE top home state hope in the upcoming Perth Inter Dominion is out of the series.
And the news gets worse for David Hercules with a tendon injury bringing his magnificent career to an end.
Trainer David Thompson was given the sad news over the weekend as he clung to the hope a soreness issue was nothing more than hoof-related.
“I kept thinking ‘it’s just hoof, it’s just hoof’, but when they scanned the entire leg they found a hole in the tendon,” he said.
“It’s the sort of thing we could have tried to work through, but it’s just not the right thing to do with a horse who’s been so good to us.”
Many felt David Hercules was not only WA’s best hope, but one of the major players in the series due to start on November 27.
His Gloucester Park record has been up with some of the best WA pacers of the modern era.
“Are we sad? Of course we are, but you’ve also got to put some perspective on it and be thankful for the amazing ride we’ve had,” Thompson said.
“This horse has raced against the best since he was two and now he’s nine. We really haven’t had many setbacks along the way at all.”
Thompson said David Hercules was just getting serious in training again in preparation for a racetrack return.
The son of Artesian showed he was still a major race force last season with a Fremantle Cup win and monstrous second in the WA Cup.
“We were really excited about the Inter Dom being in our own backyard this year and really looked at it as his last throw at the stumps, but it’s not to be,” Thompson said.
“Reaching the end and knowing the great ride is over is never easy, but that’s where we are at.
“It’s time for us to reflect on the many great things he did for us.
“This horse was a life changer for me and many others. He took me to places, helped me meet people and do things I’d never have done otherwise. I’ve got so much to thank him for.
“I’m looking forward to getting a crew together, having a few beers and watching some of the replays back over again.”
David Hercules raced 104 times for 39 wins, 18 seconds, 15 thirds and earned a thumping $1,259,019 in stakemoney.
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