Veight’s spring hopes fade with neck injury

While McEvoy Racing was celebrating a feature victory with Half Yours in the Caloundra Cup, their top miler Veight is in recovery after suffering a freak neck injury during a spell in Queensland.

The four-year-old pulled up sore following a disappointing run in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1200m) on May 17, and while resting in a paddock, sustained a fractured third vertebra.

“He pulled up a bit jarred up and sore from that terrible run at Doomben so we decided to give him more time off,” said co-trainer Tony McEvoy.

“He had pneumonia after the Golden Eagle and we thought we’d given him enough time off but maybe we hadn’t so we turned him out in a paddock.

“Then he took a fall or did something and broken a bone in his neck.

“He did his third vertebrae which they say will heal. He was in a beautifully big paddock but with horses, you can have them in a box and they can hurt themselves.”

Veight is being monitored by veterinary staff at the University of Queensland and is expected to return to Victoria shortly. His record currently stands at five wins from 12 starts, including the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m), along with Group 1 placings in both the Australian Guineas (1600m) and Caulfield Guineas (1600m).

Meanwhile, the stable enjoyed success last Saturday when Half Yours bolted in to win the Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m) by 4½ lengths at the Sunshine Coast. That effort has seen the stayer added to markets for the Group 1 Caulfield Cup, where he’s currently a $26 chance.

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