Queensland racing: Gold Coast Jewel 2YO Plate winner Sweet Dolly retired after injury concerns, to be sold at Magic Millions

In a shock move, Queensland racing’s Cinderella filly, who amassed $448,950 from her five starts, has been retired and will be put up for sale. Read the exclusive details here.

Sweet Dolly wins the QTIS Jewel 2YO at the Gold Coast Turf Club on March 13, 2021. Picture: Greg Irvine/Magic Millions

In a shock announcement, Queensland racing’s Cinderella filly Sweet Dolly, purchased as a weanling for just $1500 and the winner of four of her five starts amassing $448,950 has been retired.

Sweet Dolly burst on to the racing scene winning brilliantly at Townsville in late November 2020 before going on for consecutive Eagle Farm and Sunshine Coast metropolitan successes.

This brought about massive sale offers to her Capricorn Coast owners Michelle and Ken Walker that were constantly rejected.

‘Dolly’ vindicated their decision to retain her by emphatically winning the Gold Coast Jewel 2YO Plate on March 13 last year earning a winning purse of $300K.

Trainer Kevin Hansen and jockey Justin Stanley after Sweet Dolly won the 2YO Jewel at the Gold Coast. Picture: Trackside Photography

A suspensory ligament injury surfaced shortly after that career highlight, necessitating a delicate operation involving plasma treatment around the near fore sesamoid joint.

This brought about an extended rehabilitation program whereby trainer Hansen played a willing devoted nurse maid to his prize filly for almost a year,

In announcing her retirement on Wednesday, Hansen said Sweet Dolly disappointed him in winning a Callaghan Park barrier trial on Monday.

The 3YO won the trial over 900 metres in a fashion not akin to her former brilliance raising alarm bells with him.

“Look I haven’t really been happy with her throughout this prep. When she got beaten at Mackay in February (comeback start) she weakened for third but I was inclined to blame the shocking heat that day,” he said.

“Even after her first barrier trial win after that in March here (Rockhampton) I wasn’t fully satisfied and thought something was not quite right.

“There was no soreness or anything but she just didn’t seem to be her old self. However, in last Monday’s trial it was apparent there was an issue as she never really let down in the straight like she used to.”

Sweet Dolly wins the QTIS Jewel 2YO at the Gold Coast Turf Club on March 13, 2021. Picture: Greg Irvine/Magic Millions

As a consequence, the trainer arranged to have Sweet Dolly’s suspect leg rescanned by his vet.

“This revealed issues around the same areas of the injured ligament and it would be foolish to continue so she has been retired,” Hansen said.

While naturally feeling “pretty flat and hard to take”, he was philosophical saying all had been done that was required during Sweet Dolly’s rehabilitation after the original injury last year.

“We certainly did our best for a successful outcome but her (Sweet Dolly) welfare comes first.”

Sweet Dolly is listed for sale at the Magic Millions Broodmare Winter Sale at the Gold Coast in the supplementary catalogue on Tuesday, May 24.

It is likely she will invigorate keen bidding and sell for a substantial six-figure sum.

Last August former outstanding Rockhampton race mare Better Reflection with the added advantage of being a Stakes (correct) winner in Brisbane, was retired selling for $350K at the same venue.

Originally published as Queensland racing: Gold Coast Jewel 2YO Plate winner Sweet Dolly retired after injury concerns, to be sold at Magic Millions