Special Albert Too Tired For Crack At Treuer Memorial

Newcastle Herald

Thursday December 4, 2008

JOHN GILMOUR - HARNESS RACING

NEWCASTLE horse of the year Special Albert has been scratched from Saturday night's $125,000 group 1 Treuer Memorial (2540 metres) at Bankstown.

Trainer Bill Dawson said the Newcastle Mile winner which ran sixth behind Divisive in the Miracle Mile at Harold Park on Friday night had a poor blood count and would go to the paddock.

"I was a bit disappointed with his run on Friday night when he did not fight on like he did when he won the Newcastle Mile at his previous run, so I had the vet go over him," Dawson said.

"He checked his blood and said that his white cells were wrong, indicating he was a tired horse, and he suggested that I freshen him.

"He has been up a fair while and he had a real gut buster in the Newcastle Mile so I have taken heed of the vet's advice.

"Not only will he miss the Treuer, but I have also pulled the pin on taking him to Western Australia for a series of three feature races including the $400,000 Western Australian Pacing Cup in January.

"I will give him two or three weeks in the paddock then bring him back into work and off we will go again towards the Interdominion on the Gold Coast in March."

I Am Sam, which won the Bohemia Crystal Sprint at Harold Park last Friday night, has also been scratched from the Trueur because of a hoof infection.

Race driver Natalie Rasmussen, who has also been the gelding's caretaker trainer while he has been in Sydney, said I Am Sam had come through Friday night's race well but on Monday morning appeared lame.

"He has a deep-seated infection in his hoof," she said.

I Am Sam had drawn the outside of the front line in barrier six which Rasmussen felt would suit the gelding.

"This was the race we had marked for Sam and the draw was going to suit, but now that's all gone up in smoke," she said.

Miracle Mile winner Divisive has drawn barrier four and trainer-driver Peter Rixon said the gelding had improved even further since his victory last Friday night.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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