Last start place-getter in The Lord Mayor’s Cup at Canterbury last Saturday has shown Mr Clangtastic has overcome adversity in what was an injury that was to put an end to his career back in February 2010.
Mr Clangtastic was dubbed Sydney’s “Winter Wonder” of 2009 with his five consecutive wins, including the Listed Wyong Gold Cup and the Group Three Colin Stephens Handicap while ending the sequence with a credible 5th in the Group One Metropolitan.
Shortly after his first up run in February 2010, Mr Clangtastic succumbed to a suspensory ligament injury in trackwork, so severe it was recommended that he be retired, but not so.
15 months later, this now 7 year old son of Clang has had a trainer change and under management of both his old and new owners since the injury has now run in the Ajax Stakes Gr2 (beaten 4 lengths), the Listed Rowley Mile finishing 4th and latest finishing 2nd behind the early Queensland Derby favourite Shootoff in the Quality Lord Mayor’s Cup.
Since the injury Mr Clangtastic spent time away at Wallaby Hill Farm, a property in the cool and misty environment of Robertson in the Southern Highlands, rehabilitating under the watchful care and treatment of Fiona Lewis, Chiropractor and Acupuncturist of Chirotechnic.
In October last year he was ready for the next stage of his rehabilitation and moved into his new home at “Sir Dapper Lodge Stables” under Les Bridge, who himself is no stranger to success with the likes of Kensei in the 1987 Melbourne Cup, Sir Dapper in the 1983 Golden Slipper and in more recent times Hot Danish who sadly lost her battle for life last month.
After a short spell over Christmas at Emeran Park in the Dooralong Valley, Mr Clangtastic returned to the stables with a program that continued the strengthening and conditioning of his injured leg while increasing cardiac and endurance fitness with swimming.
“The Old Boy” as he is affectionately called around the stables these days is now likely to head to the Brisbane Winter Carnival starting with The Premiers Cup Gr3 2200m Handicap on Doomben 10000 day. With the likelihood of slow to heavy tracks up north connections will then assess options after that race with other Cups on the radar.
One thing for sure there is no doubting that this tough old horse has proven what it takes to be a racehorse and his ability to comeback and still have the reflexes and attitude of a younger horse are just remarkable. Lets hope we continue to hear the cheers of “Go Clanger” as he delights his fans this Winter of 2011.
Written by Jeff Guy
