Injury sidelines unbeaten TAB Eureka favourite Always Hot

Australia’s most exciting pacer and early TAB Eureka favourite Always Hot has been sidelined by injury and will miss the world’s richest harness race.

Australia’s most exciting pacer and early TAB Eureka favourite Always Hot has been sidelined by injury and will miss the world’s richest harness race.

Always Hot was $3.50 favourite for the $2.1m TAB Eureka in September before his owner-breeder Peter Gleeson confirmed the three-year-old had gone to the paddock after some “hot spots” were revealed in a recent full body scan.

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The colt has won all eight starts, including a dominant display at his most recent run in the Group 1 NSW Derby on March 8.

“It’s not the end of the world, but it’s certainly very disappointing,” Gleeson said.

“He looked a great chance in the Eureka and some other big races, but the recommendation was to give him eight to 10 weeks in the paddock rather than risk bone chips or something worse.

“You just can’t press on when you hear that. There’s still a lot of money to be won as an older horse if we do the right thing by him now. We’ve been patient so far and will continue to be, to give him every chance.

“Depending on what the scan shows after this time out, he could be back for races like the Vicbred and Breeders Crown towards the end of the year. Or, we could just wait and target the Chariots Of Fire early next year.”

It’s a huge blow to Gleeson, especially with Always Hot being the best horse he’s had since the freakish Ride High, who won 16 of his 18 starts between 2018 and 2000 before being cut down in his prime with injury.

“It would’ve been nice after losing Ride High too early if this guy could have won me two or three million … maybe still can,” Gleeson said.

“Like Ride High, Always Hot is a big, big fella and you’ve got to be extra cautious with them given the pressure they put on their legs.”

Always Hot (right) has been ruled out of the TAB Eureka. Picture: Club Menangle/Pacepix

In a double blow, Gleeson, one of Australia’s most influential owner-breeders, also revealed his superstar young mare Very Pretty would also miss the TAB Eureka.

The four-year-old has won nine of her 10 starts and finished second in the other, but hasn’t raced since a Melton win on August 17, last year.

“We’ve had a really frustrating run with her,” Gleeson said.

“She just wasn’t herself, but the vets could never pinpoint what it was late last year when she missed the Victoria Oaks, Vicbred and Breeders Crown.

“She was close to racing again and got a bit of a bump in training and has gone to the paddock again. It’s only minor, but the timing isn’t great with those big races not far away.

“She’s such a good mare she’d have in the TAB Eureka up to her ears, but it’s not to be.

“People haven’t seen the best of her. Clayton (Tonkin, co-trainer) said to me one day she was a champion mare and he’s not one to throw around tags like that.

“Hopefully she gets through this quickly and well and we can see her racing again later this year, too.”

Gleeson is still hopeful of being a player in the upcoming Queensland Constellations carnival with his three-year-olds.

“Go Miki might go for the Queensland Derby, while Looks Perfect, who won only two starts last year and won well in a recent Terang trial, could head to the Oaks,” he said.

* Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp

Originally published as Injury sidelines unbeaten TAB Eureka favourite Always Hot