One-time boom galloper September Born is poised to get a troubled career back on track after pleasing in a Belmont trial win on Monday morning.
The entire burst on to the scene as a three-year-old, taking the Fairetha Stakes and starting a warm fancy in the WA Guineas. But he returned lame in the Guineas and struggled to regather his best form before bleeding from both nostrils in a race this April.
It left champion trainer Neville Parnham bewildered and the horse’s career at a crossroads after a mandatory stand down.
“I was shocked. He showed no signs prior,” Parnham said.
“A lot of horses get treated with nebulisers and there are a lot of allergies around, but this horse had never given any indication (of bleeding).
“To tell you the truth, I thought he must have broken down, and I couldn’t believe it. He’d never weakened noticeably in a race before and had shown no internal problems.
“But horses can bleed once and never again, so hopefully we don’t see a recurrence.”
Parnham says the five-year-old’s hoof issues are now under control and under Brad Parnham, September Born narrowly won his 1000m heat from Yougivemechills and stablemates Country God and Multinational.
“He had a good blow, which is a good indication that he’ll need another trial before he races first-up,” Parnham said.
HAYDEN KING THE WEST AUSTRALIAN