Polanski looks likely to have run his last race

Victoria Derby winner Polanski looks likely to have run his last race after sustaining a career ending injury in last Saturday’s Group 1 $500,000 Cathay Pacific Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.

Victoria Derby winner Polanski's career looks to be over.

Victoria Derby winner Polanski's career looks to be over. Photo by Steve Hart.

As the Peter Moody trained Moment Of Change held on to win his third Group 1 race, Dean Yendall was easing Polanski down at the tail of the field before dismounting the three year old on the track.

Polanski was quickly attended to by the on course vets before being whisked away to the Melbourne University vet clinic at Werribee where he was diagnosed with major soft tissue damage surrounding the tendon but no fractures to the pastern as first thought.

Initial thoughts were for the worst but trainer Robbie Laing was relieved when the non-life threatening injury was diagnosed and he will now recommend the three year old for a stud career to the owners.

“I’d say we can save his life but I’d also say the career is over,’’ Laing told the Herald Sun.

Polanski emerged as one of the stars of last year’s Melbourne Spring Carnival after rising through the ranks to take out the Group 1 $1.5m AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on November 2.

Laing was aiming Polanski towards this week’s Group 1 $500,000 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington with the Group 1 $2m BMW Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick on April 12 also on his Autumn Carnival program.

Polanski’s initial Autumn Carnival appearance had been delayed two weeks after he developed a nasty skin rash that prevented him from taking his place in the Group 2 $220,000 Hyland Race Colours Autumn Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 8 and the Group 3 $150,000 C S Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on February 15.

The Rakti colt was a bargain basement $4000 yearling purchase and earned $1.173 million for his connections for his four wins from ten starts.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.