Horse bites off trainer’s thumb

An assistant trainer had the top joint of her thumb bitten off by a horse on an eventful morning yesterday at Santa Rosa Park, Arima. Gail Romero, companion and assistant to astute trainer Maniram “Boboy” Maharaj lost part of her thumb when Bon Voyage snapped at her during an inspection of the animal on his return from a workout early in the morning. A witness to the incident said the five-year-old chestnut gelding appeared irritated and bit at Romero’s finger and swallowed the severed portion. The distressed young assistant trainer was rushed to the Southern Medical Centre where she underwent an emergency operation. Trainer Maharaj, when contacted yesterday, confirmed the incident.  “A piece of skin had to be grafted over the bone. “She was placed under anaesthetics and is presently asleep,” he said. “She has to return to the nursing home tomorrow,” Maharaj said. The incident did not prevent horses from the stable, easily recognised by their green and white colours,  being turned out, as the responsibilities were passed on to the head lad. With the first classic for the juvenile generation drawing near, trainers were seen working feverishly with their babes preparing them for baptism.

Among the advanced seen out doing speed-work were runners from some of the leading stables. Atlantic Breeze, Jay Low and Angelino representing champion trainer John O’Brien’s stable showed signs of readiness,  posting 36.01 seconds  for their 600-metres spin. Blue Reign and Not This Time, which hail from the Grant Lourenco barn, were, others to have caugh the eyes. The pair, working the same acreage in company, went a shade slower in 36.16 seconds. A son of Honour And Glory is another to be shortlisted. The un-named individual from the small string of trainer Ryan Shim was full of life in his solo spin registered in 36.90. Other good performances on the morning came from Serah’s Trick (23.80); Blondie, Rocket; Bold Blush and Chief Of Staff (37.87); Gaza Strip (36.50); Bite De Bullet (36.58); Morgan Heritage and Fromnowuntil (36.17); Ooze and Senor Gucci (36.20); and Cyber Five, whose  35.03 was fastest over 600 metres.

Following are the recorded gallops.

400 METRES: Serah’s Trick - 23.80, good. Guatama - 24.21, good. Hunt The Magic - 29.90, pacing. Golden Eye and Care Free - 29.l97, pacing. New Song and Ice Follies - 29.25, pacing. Gettesburg and Cheerleader - 26.27, handily. Alex - 26.45, ridden out. Tricky Guy - 26.46, easy. City Of Lights - 26.68, handily. Hyarima - 27.12, easy. Alammanamou and Islend Chimes - 29.98, pacing.

600 METRES: Cyber Five - 35.03, good. Blue Reign and  Not This Time - 36.16, good. Ooze and Senor Gucci - 36.20, good. Morgan Heritage and Fromnowuntil - 36.17, good. Ex Honour And Glory - 36.90, good. Bite De Bullet - 36.58, good. Atlantic Breeze, Jay Low and Angelino - 36.01, good. Gaza Strip - 36.50, good. Blondie, Rocket, Bold Blush and Chief Of Staff - 37.87, handily. Confirmed - 39.96, handily. Invincibility - 44.99, pacing. Phantom Bidder - 42.18, pacing. Ring Dang Do - 44.98, pacing. Misty Rose, French Academy and Joint Account - 41.33,  handily. Francesca - 38.75, handily. Ula - 42.71, pacing. Ex If I Do - 44.83, pacing. Judge Judy - 43.10, pacing. Kalyan - 39.94, handily. Movietowne Magic - 44.96, pacing. Ex Real Jenny and Smart And Lucky - 43.83, pacing. Once In A Lifetime - 40.40, handily. Saxon Dance - 44.17, pacing. Tactical Bid - 38.32, handily. Naturelly Classy - 44.99, pacing. 

800 METRES: Winning Trick - 49.96, good. Crimson Tower - 50.21, good. Outrageous Victory and Indian Decision - 50.36, good. Outswinger - 59.92, pacing. Ruby Rich - 55.12, handily. You’ve Got Mail - 51.52, handily. Sure Wager - 51.55, handily. Golden Honour - 52.20, handily. Twist N’Turn - 51.81, handily. Millenium Reign - 58.08, pacing. Loud Music - 56.43, pacing. Mucho Tempo - 52.19, handily. Undercover Angel - 54.14, handily. Piece Of Cake and Dunsborough - 52.73, handily. Canaima - 52.49, handily.

1000 METRES; Fantastic Lad and Peace Consort - 1:05.22, handily. Yaa Asantewaa and Ex Caribbean Princess - 1:07.31, handily.