Trish Dunell
David Ellis believes Gingernuts’ nature will stand the four-year-old in good stead during his recovery from serious injury.
“He’s got a beautiful temperament. He’s a lovely, kind horse and he’ll be a very good patient,” he said.
The Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards-trained Gingernuts fractured a near front pastern as he was cantering to the start of Saturday's Gr.1 Emirates Stakes (2000m) at Flemington. Jockey Michael Dee quickly dismounted and veterinary staff were on the scene shortly after.
The leg was scanned earlier today and the horse subsequently underwent surgery.
Trish Dunell
“The fracture was worse than we had hoped for and he was operated on at the Weribee Vet Clinic,” Ellis said.
“The operation went very, very well with four screws put into the pastern.”
Gingernuts, who is given a 50-50 chance of racing again, will spend the next week at the clinic and the following month spelling at a nearby property.
“After that he’ll come home to Te Akau for a good, long spell,” Ellis said. – NZ Racing Desk.