One of the hard facts of life is that you can make a list of things that can go wrong … and then something will go wrong that is not on your list.
The antics of Princess Lunar at the Gold Coast on Saturday falls firmly into that category.
Losing the rider on the way to the start and galloping off riderless is not uncommon, but galloping off, getting through a fence to escape the track itself and then ending up in a nearly canal that was shoulder deep in water … and then having to be rescued by track staff who stripped off and climbed in to help … well that is something else again.
Scott Morrisey, Princess Lunar’s trainer, had a close-up view of most of the unfolding drama on the day.
“We were walking out going out onto the track and everything was going fine until we got caught up behind another horse,” said Morrisey, taking up the story.
“I had one behind me, so we were sort of sandwiched.
“She got impatient and started to lose it. We had her under control … then out of control … then under control and Tegan (Harrison) and I thought … well, once we get out on the track, we will be all right.
“Just as we were about to get out on the track she erupted. She just launched in the air … and I mean launched. She got all four feet off the ground and got pretty high … then sucked back, landed sideways and got rid of Tegan.
“When Princess Lunar hit the ground, she landed in a gallop. She just galloped straight out of my hands. I couldn’t hold on to her. I was no chance. The lead just burned straight out of my hands, and she was gone in a split second.
“When the horse took off, I just ran over the Tegan to make sure she was alright. Tegan said, ‘I’m alright, I’m alright.’ She was more worried about the horse than herself.
“So, we walked up the track to see what was happening … to find out what was going on.
“She had gone through the fence near the top of the home straight. When we got up there and I saw the aluminium fence all buckled and in pieces, I just looked at Tegan thinking Princess Lunar must have sustained a serious injury.
“I was thinking you don’t go through these sort of fences like that without major injuries.
“We got out there and, at first, nobody could really see her. The barrier boys and track staff were already there looking to help … and then I heard on the two-way that she was up in the canal.
“She had gone under the bridge and into the canal past that. I went around and the boys were there and stripping off. I just said, look, ‘go after her and get her … but please be careful. Don’t do anything stupid.’
“The horse was exhausted by then and they got to her. They did a great job getting her up to the other end because the water was about shoulder height for a horse.
“They did a fantastic job getting her out. All credit goes to them.”
Today, Morrisey was both happy and thankful to be able report a positive final outcome, particularly given the circumstances
“She’s just got some hair off her legs in a couple of different spots but, other than that she is pretty well.
“When I left the stables last night she has just about eaten up.
“It’s a very good outcome.” concluded Morrisey.
