Tommy Brislane to miss Group 1 Topgun after trial injury

Illawarra Mercury, 14 October 2014
By MITCH COHEN

Tommy Brislane has been cruelly denied the chance to contest the $150,000 Group 1 Topgun (520m) at The Meadows on Saturday week after suffering a chipped stopper-bone in a trial last Friday.

The local speedster, trained by Steve White at Nowra, was all-but assured a place in the prestigious event but will now be sidelined until well into the new year.

The black dog took out the region's top race, the Group 1 Dapto Megastar, on September 12 before a dominant win in the Group 2 Bob Payne at Wentworth Park.

Owner Geoff Slattery said it was devastating blow for him, White and Victorian conditioner Kel Greenough, who had the star in his care in preparation for the Group 1 tilt.

"He has been such a wonderful trier. In all his races, he has always been one who pulls up on a sixpence at full pace into the pen, which obviously has put too much stress on his lower leg," Slattery said.

"The prognosis is four to six months, and with the right rest and recuperation, he should be able to return to racing. He has just turned two, so that should help in his recovery.

"Walk Hard had a similar injury, and he was able to return to the track," he said.

"In the meantime, we will let him down, and test the market as a stud dog."

Slattery was confident his well-bred son of Premier Fantasy and Mary Virginia could have success as a breeding prospect.

A stopper-bone injury is difficult to treat with surgery given so many vital ligaments are in the wrist region. Time, in most cases, is the best healer.

In better news for White, his hot streak on the South Coast continued in the $25,000 Group 3 Spring Puppy Classic (520m) with Paua To Roar at Nowra on Saturday.

He never looked in danger of missing out on the main prize as Paua To Roar led all -the-way, registering a slick 29.84 seconds against quality opposition.