Tight Connection survives injury scare

Press, 12 July 1988, Page 38

Tight Connection survives injury scare

Special correspondent Auckland Tight Connection’s crushing win in the Thames Juvenile Stakes at Alexandra Park on Friday evening did not give one hint of the frantic activity at trainer Brian O’Meara’s Ardmore stable barely two hours before the race. O’Meara said after the race that Tight Connection was almost scratched for the race after suffering yet another injury at last Wednesday’s Pukekohe trials.

When given a workout from a standing start, Tight Connection “cancanned” off the mark, cross-fired and struck himself a sharp blow low down near the near front fetlock.

Tight Connection’s problem became apparent when O’Meara removed a bandage from the leg and that is when a race began to have the colt fit to run in the Letterkenny Lodgesponsored race, which was then barely 48 hours away.

"We spent hours and hours working on the leg,” said O’Meara. "Thank God it’s all over.

“Up until 4 o’clock this morning he was in doubt to start. We did not even get him to the track until the race before ours.”

O’Meara said the late arrival at Alexandra Park was due to some lastminute work on the injury.

But Tight Connection looked relaxed as he warmed up during his preliminary and driver Bob Cameron had the horse away safely from the 10m mark when the tapes were released. Peter Davis, driving Surmo Fella, shot away to lead by about six lengths after 200 m and Cameron was quite happy for him to do so. “When the leaders went hard early it really suited me,” said Cameron. “He felt pretty good down the back the last time and I knew we had it won coming round the corner.” Tight Connection was at the rear of the field on settling, but was pushed three wide with about 1300 m to go. Cameron quickly had the colt up to challenge the leader, Innocent Arc, then allowed Tight Connection a “rest.” “That breather down the back helped him a bit, but he had plenty left at the finish. He is a top horse.”

Tight Connection was out by four lengths from Neroship at the line. In doing so he earned his owners — Rick Ellis, Ross

Weavers and the Horseplayers Syndicate — a bonus of $500,000. The bonus, along with one of $500,000 already won, and official stakeearnings of $283,240, pushed Tight Connection’s bankroll along to a massive $1,283,240. In addition, Tight Connection posted a time of 2min 49.4 s for the 2200 m, which equalled Dillon Dean’s national record for a two-year-old.

O’Meara said he had decided not to press on with a special attempt on Disco Dancer’s New Zealand two-year-old timetrial record of Imin 57.75. “He has done more than enough,” said O’Meara. “He will go out for about six weeks, jogging quietly at home. After all, there are more bonuses to chase next season.”

O’Meara plans to have Tight Connection ready to attack another $500,000 bonus series during the 1988-89 season the first leg of which is run in October.

Neroship fought gamely but was never a serious threat to Tight Connection. He was a length and a quarter in front of Quick Vance, which took third, a neck in front of the southerner, Watch Me Fella.