Knocka Norris Retired
Knocka Norris retired
14 October 2008
By Chris Bassani
Superstar Queenslander Knocka Norris will be sent straight to stud after he cracked a hock at the Meadows last night.
Knocka Norris, who was in preparation for the $100,000 Topgun, had just ran 2/100ths of a second outside Brett Lee's post to post track record for caretaker trainer Jason Thompson. But on arriving home the son of Elite State and Oriental Angel was standing on three legs. X-rays today revealed Knocka Norris, the Topgun pre-post favourite, had cracked the near side hock.
Regular trainer Reg Kay said "He will immediately be sent to stud and stand at Sam Cauchi's (Rocky Ridge Stud) place in Sydney." It is the same residence where Elite State, who was also trained by Kay, is standing.
And in what can only be described as 24 hours of disaster, Kay's Melbourne Cup candidate Made To Size has also suffered injury. Made To Size pulled ligaments in a shoulder. "He got off balance when we let him go and he got twisted around but hopefully he will be okay," Kay said from the vet clinic today. "The Melbourne Cup is in November and he may still be a chance to run in it but it is too early to tell."
Kay’s week could hopefully improve dramatically come closer to the weekend. On Friday, Size Can Matter is a leading fancy for $250,000 Platinum Paws in Christchurch, New Zealand. He also has Dual Enforcer in the $10,000 to the winner Michael Miller Memorial Final at Capalaba on Saturday.
Knocka Norris retires to stud having won 21 of his 32 starts with his crowning glory being the Group 1 National Sprint Championship at Wentworth Park last month.
He also holds two track records - Maitland 450m 25.01 and The Gardens 515m 29.25.
Kay has trained four individual Group 1 winners this year with the others being Made To Size (Winter Carnival Cup at Albion Park), Size Can Matter (Perth Cup at Cannington) and Elite Oriental (National Futurity at Wentworth Park).
Elite Oriental, a sister to Knocka Norris, has been served by Bombastic Shiraz after being a last minute scratching from the Paws Of Thunder last month when she came on season.
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10-15-2008, 11:38 AM
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