King Oberon
Trish Dunell
Raymond Connors' pursuit of further New Zealand Cup glory will have to wait for another year.
The Wanganui trainer had his exciting young staying prospect King Oberon set for the Christchurch Casino-sponsored Group Three feature he first won in 2011 with Blood Brotha, who returned the following year to successfully defend his title.
Unfortunately, Connors' Riccarton hopes are on hold after he was forced to send King Oberon to the paddock.
"I had to turn him out after he knocked a tendon," he said. "As far as these things go, it's not that bad and hopefully he can have a month or so off and we might even have him back for the autumn.
"He has done a lot in a very short time so a spell now will do him the world of good, perhaps it was coming up a bit too quickly for him anyway."
The son of Savabeel was a late starter and broke his maiden as a four-year-old last season in a highweight on his home track at his third appearance.
King Oberon then reeled off consecutive victories at New Plymouth and at Wanganui again before he stepped up in grade on the middle day of the Hawke's Bay carnival to continue his winning streak.
"I always knew that he could stay, but he surprised us how well he has done," said Connors, who races the gelding with his father Mark. – NZ Racing Desk.
The Wanganui trainer had his exciting young staying prospect King Oberon set for the Christchurch Casino-sponsored Group Three feature he first won in 2011 with Blood Brotha, who returned the following year to successfully defend his title.
Unfortunately, Connors' Riccarton hopes are on hold after he was forced to send King Oberon to the paddock.
"I had to turn him out after he knocked a tendon," he said. "As far as these things go, it's not that bad and hopefully he can have a month or so off and we might even have him back for the autumn.
"He has done a lot in a very short time so a spell now will do him the world of good, perhaps it was coming up a bit too quickly for him anyway."
The son of Savabeel was a late starter and broke his maiden as a four-year-old last season in a highweight on his home track at his third appearance.
King Oberon then reeled off consecutive victories at New Plymouth and at Wanganui again before he stepped up in grade on the middle day of the Hawke's Bay carnival to continue his winning streak.
"I always knew that he could stay, but he surprised us how well he has done," said Connors, who races the gelding with his father Mark. – NZ Racing Desk.