Two years ago, the world was Hard Too Think's oyster.
Two Group 1 trophies, the Singapore Derby and Queen Elizabeth II Cup, as well as a gallant second to Lim's Lightning in the Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup put the Stephen Gray-trained stayer on a path to greater heights.
It was hard to think the bubble would burst soon after.
On Dec 2, he is just a roughie in the last feature race on the Singapore racing calendar, the $110,000 Group 3 Colonial Chief Stakes over 1,700m on the Polytrack.
Unfortunately, it is a condition known as "kissing spine" - where vetebrae touch each other that has put his career on the skids.
He has not scored again in 13 starts since his Gold Cup second on Nov 14, 2021. While he did not finish too far behind in 2022, he was closer to the tailend in 2023.
The first year of the decline baffled Gray. The Kiwi trainer only got the answer after chancing upon an article about Australian star galloper Alligator Blood's (by the same sire, All Too Hard) kissing spine ailment.
Denne historien er fra November 30, 2023-utgaven av The Straits Times.
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Denne historien er fra November 30, 2023-utgaven av The Straits Times.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
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