Gingernuts returns home to Matamata

Star New Zealand galloper Gingernuts, who suffered lifethreatening injuries in Melbourne more than three months ago, is back home.

The triple Group One winner arrived on a flight into Auckland last Thursday and was taken by float to Te Akau Stud in northwest Waikato, where he will continue his recovery in the hope of racing again.

Gingernuts suffered a freakish fracture to a foreleg pastern (the length of bone that runs from the fetlock to the foot) while cantering to the start of the Emirates Stakes on the final day of Melbourne Cup week.

If the injury had occurred during the race the consequences would have been catastrophic, but thankfully Gingernuts’ jockey Michael Dee had the presence of mind to quickly dismount and hold him while veterinarians applied a splint to the leg.

Further expert care followed once Gingernuts was transported by horse ambulance to the Werribee Equine Clinic and the fracture was able to be secured with screws being inserted during delicate surgery.

Apart from an infection at the site of one of the screws that meant Gingernuts had to return to Werribee from his rehabilitation care, his recovery has gone well and now it’s matter of further monitoring in the hope that he will in time race again.

‘‘It’s simply a thrill to have him home safe back with us,’’ said Te Akau principal David Ellis.

‘‘The ultimate outcome will be for him to get the all-clear to race again, but we will only do that if it’s the right thing by the horse.

‘‘If that doesn’t happen he’ll still have a home for life with us at Te Akau Stud.’’

Flemington racecourse will again be the focus this weekend when the Stephen Autridge/ Jamie Richards-trained Embellish lines up in the C S Hayes Stakes, which will be his dress rehearsal for the Gr. 1 Australian Guineas.

Stable jockey Opie Bosson has been confirmed as his rider, while also on Saturday, former champion New Zealand apprentice Rory Hutchings will take the mount on stablemate Melody Belle when she makes her Sydney debut in the Light Fingers Stakes at Randwick.