A carnival-ending injury to emerging sprint star Tiger Tees has reignited trainer Joe Pride’s fury over the hardness of the Warwick Farm track.
Tiger Tees was beaten as odds-on favourite on Saturday with the winner, Dystopia, setting a track record 1:15.26 for the 1300 metres.
On Monday, Pride discovered Tiger Tees had heat in his left fore leg and was waiting on the results of x-rays to assess the damage.
“He was a victim of the hard track and best case scenario is a short let-up but no matter what he has gone to the paddock today,” Pride said.
“I whinged about it last week but the track was too hard again.
“I’m entrusted with millions of dollars worth of thoroughbreds and my owners are paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to have them trained and the horses shouldn’t have to run on tracks that are too hard.
“It’s a no brainer.
“Times don’t lie. The track was electric and bordering on fast.
“He’s a good horse and to lose him him going into the carnival is a blow.
“I haven’t seen any horses sent to the paddock because of whip use but there’s plenty of talk about that.
“Hard tracks are an animal welfare issue.
“The problem with Warwick Farm is the drainage and it needs to be addressed. It’s irresponsible and my owners are paying the price.”
Last Monday Pride was just as critical of the surface after Rain Affair won the Carrington Stakes.
He declared Rain Affair would not race again in January and sent him to Tim Boland’s Limitless Lodge for some respite on the water walker.
“He will come back at the end of the week and be set for the Expressway Stakes in February,” Pride said.
While Warwick Farm has caused Pride much angst, Canterbury and Rosehill are more forgiving with News Alert and and Phenomenal Lass to represent the trainer in Friday night’s Listed Canterbury Classic (1100m).
“Phenomenal Lass looks good and this race is around her grade,” Pride said. “I expect her to run a cheeky race.
“The 1100 metres will tell me a bit more about News Alert. He’s coming back in distance and we will find out how he freshens up.”
Formerly trained by Con Karakatsanis, News Alert has had two starts for Pride, the latest a victory in the Listed Razor Sharp (1200m) on December 17.
He was given an easy time in a barrier trial at Rosehill last week.
AAP TURF
