Mr Lomondy injured

Press, 7 October 1987, Page 36

Mr Lomondy injured

NZPA Sydney Mr Lomondy, a Japan Cup selection, will miss the rich Tokyo event and the glamour Melbourne Cup because of injury. The seven-year-old New Zealand-owned gelding has been prepared this spring by Bart Cummings. The Sydney trainer’s son and stable manager, Anthony Cummings, said yesterday Mr Lomondy would be spelled immediately. Mr Lomondy was found to have a problem with his near side knee after finishing second last in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington on Saturday. The injury is in the carpal canal — an area thick with ligaments — and is a relatively common complaint among stayers. Anthony Cummings said the horSe’s spring campaign was over. "I am not sure what the owners have decided to do with him,” he said. “Certainly, he will be going to the paddock but whether it will be in New Zealand or in Australia has not been decided.

"His campaign is finished, as far as the Melbourne Cup is concerned.’’

Mr Lomondy, . the 1986 Adelaide and Caulfield Cup winner, was at one stage equal favourite to both the Caulfield and the Melbourne Cups, but had eased out to 20-1 in the latest market for both events.

His preparation was interrupted earlier when he went lame in the same near-front leg after the Craiglee Stakes at Flemington, on September 12, forcing him out of the Underwood Stakes a fortnight ago. The gelding’s departure from the racetrack has led to uncertainty over representation from Australia and New Zealand in the Japan Cup on November 29.

The Japan Racing Association’s other choice, former New Zealander, Waverley Star, has had a mediocre spring, finishing twelfth in his last outing in the Turnbull Stakes.

First reserve, Joindre, was recently retired after an old and debilitating injury recurred, while next emergency, Major Drive, will almost certainly meet a commitment to start in the Melbourne Cup, which could rule out a trip to Japan.