Trish Dunell
Talented Matamata hurdler Tommyra has been sidelined until next year.
Trainer Toby Autridge had both the Grand National Hurdles (4200m) at Riccarton on Wednesday and the Great Northern Hurdle (4190m) at Ellerslie next month on the radar for Tommyra after he won the K.S. Browne Hurdles (3350m) at Ellerslie on June 3.
However, Tommyra was pulled up with three fences to jump in the Wellington Hurdles (3400m) at Trentham last month.
“At the 600m he looked like he could win, but within five strides he was gone,” Autridge said. “He choked and Shaun (Phelan, jockey) had to pull him up. Afterwards we found out he had a soft palate that needed to be operated on.
“The operation went to plan, but he’s finished for this year. He is being boxed for a few weeks and there’s a good chance he’ll be back next year.
“A lot of horses have come back from the operation and done well so we’ve got our fingers crossed he can be back to have a go at the big races next year.”