Injury puts smart 4YO’s career on hold

Talented four-year-old Thunder Down Under is on the easy list.

The stakes-winning son of Street Sense looked back to something like his best last month at Te Rapa where he overcame a wide run for the fourth victory of his career.

Unfortunately, his progress has subsequently been halted and he will be side-lined through the winter.

“He was sore again after he won and it’s turned out that he’s fractured a pedal bone,” trainer Stephen Ralph said.

“It doesn’t need surgery and he’s on a month’s box rest and then he’ll be in a small yard for six weeks.”

Ralph’s team is now based at Te Awamutu where the facilities will speed up Thunder Down Under’s recovery.

“We’ll be swimming him every day to keep up his fitness and he should be back racing in three months,” he said.

The Hawke’s Bay spring carnival is the longer-term target for Thunder Down Under.

“That’s what we’re aiming for and hopefully he can be there for the first one, the Makfi, but we’ll have to see how he goes,” Ralph said.

“The best of him is yet to come as he gets older and stronger.”

Thunder Down Under won the Listed BMW Salver at Ellerslie last season and subsequently placed in a handful of starts for champion Sydney trainer Chris Waller.

Meanwhile, Thunder Down Under’s stakes-winning stablemate Admiral is expected to enjoy another good winter campaign. The winner of the Listed Karaka Classic during his last preparation, he recently resumed with a fourth placing at Ellerslie.

“He’s going on really well – he’s a very good mudlark,” Ralph said.