Western Victoria: Purcell hoping bad luck comes in threes
By Tim Auld, February 8, 2016 - 1:54 PM

The comeback from tendon injury of Aaron Purcell-trained import St Jean has been further delayed by a leg infection.
On his return from rehab for the tendon injury, St Jean tested positive to the prohibited anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen, forcing Purcell to abandon his plans to target next month’s Australian Cup.
The leg infection followed a stable accident last week.
Vets have treated the infection with penicillin.
“We’re not sure how long the infection will stay there,” Purcell said. “It might be four days or four weeks.”
As Winning Post went to press on Thursday the Racing Victoria board was due to meet to establish rules on ibuprofen, which has sidelined more than 20 gallopers including Darren Weir’s top stayer Signoff.
Purcell said it was difficult trying to explain to St Jean’s owners the issues relating to Ibuprofen.
“The whole issue has been very frustrating,” he said.
“There are a couple of syndicates involved — I’d think there are about 30 people in his ownership.
“I just hope we get guidelines put in place as to what we can do with St Jean in the future.
“He’s the best horse I’ve trained so it’s all been very disappointing for so many people.”
St Jean injured his near-side tendon in September 2014 after winning four races from eight Australian starts for Purcell.  
Good shopping
Crossley trainer Mitch Freedman missed out on buying yearlings at New Zealand’s Karaka sales but made up for that with a couple of purchases at last week’s three-day Inglis Classic sale in Sydney.
Freedman purchased a colt by Congrats (USA) out of the Irish mare Pas de Deux for $100,000 and a Testa Rossa colt for $62,500.
“Both yearlings are lovely types,” he said. “The Congrats colt is already sold to stable clients and there are a couple of shares left in the Testa Rossa colt but I think they’ll be snapped up quick.
“I thought the yearlings in New Zealand were expensive and it looks like the Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale will also be dear. This sale looked a good option.”
Freedman, who has been training for just over two years, has nearly 30 horses in work.
Handy break
The decision to transfer last month’s Hamilton meeting to Colac was the right one, according to Hamilton Racing Club president Peter Young.
Young said the transfer has given the racing surface time to consolidate.
“The track had a major refurbishment and I’m glad we didn’t go ahead with the January meeting,” Young said. “It’s the first time the surface has had major works in nearly 10 years. We had 30mm of rain two weeks ago, which has really helped the track.”
Hamilton is scheduled to host its next meeting on April 11.
Hall aboard
Koroit-born apprentice jockey Chelsea Hall is making every post a winner.
Hall, 24, had a winning double at Terang last Thursday before riding two winners at Bordertown on Sunday.
The former Brauer College student, who is apprenticed to Stawell trainers Terry and Karina O’Sullivan, said she was enjoying the run of success.
“I’ve been happy with my form,” she said. “I’ve ridden 39 winners in 18 months and I’ve found I’m getting more outside rides, which is helping my career.”

 

 

 

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