The Con Karakatsanis stable has suffered a setback with talented gelding Howmuchdoyouloveme, who was sent for a throat operation this week after resuming work.
The three-year-old gelding kicked off his career with an easy win at the midweek's before running a close second in Saturday class at Rosehill in October of last year.
Howmuchdoyouloveme collapsed shortly after that race with heat stress and was subsequently spelled, returning to the stables just a week ago.
“It is unfortunate we have had some issues with him since then,” said Karakatsanis.
“The vet said it did not have to happen right away but he is too good a horse to muck around with, so we sent him to get it done and will probably take around three months to recover,” he added.
“Hopefully he can come back in good order and we have some very big plans for him as he has plenty of ability.”
The stable has been flying in recent times winning eight of there last 13 starts in metropolitan grade.
Karakatsanis has just 24 horses in work at his Rosehill stables and whilst he might not have the most expensive or well bred horses, his recent form shows he is a trainer on the rise with some very talented gallopers including Riva De Lago and My Destiny.
Four-year-old gelding Riva De Lago who won two of three races last preparation will be aimed at the Stradbroke Handicap during the Brisbane winter carnival a race Karakatsanis has won twice before.
“We will stick with the plan for the Stradbroke and we will also look for a race or two at the back end of the Sydney Carnival, “Karakatsanis said.
“Jay (Ford) jumped off him just today and said he is going very well and he definitely is an exciting horse who should make the step up to stakes company,” he added.
Karakatsanis rates Stratum gelding My Destiny the toughest horse in his stable who will also be aimed at the Stradbroke after a solid recent Queensland campaign which included a win in the Listed Lough Neagh Stakes before an unlucky run in the Magic Millions Cup.
“He was undone by the inside draw in the Magic Millions Cup and he never got a crack at them.”
“He is out having a spell at the moment and he will also be aimed at the Stradbroke during the Brisbane winter carnival and has already showed he is up to stakes company.”
“I am really happy with the way the stable is going at the moment and we have some very nice horses at present.”