Happy hooves, happy horse, Hoffman hopes
WAIKOUAITI trotter Heard The Whisper is an eachway chance in the feature trot at Oamaru tomorrow.
The Amber Hoffmantrained squaregaiter will step out for the second time in what are arguably southern harness racing’s most stylish shoes.
Heard The Whisper has been fitted with specially layered shoes after problems with his front pedal bones were identified by veteraniarian Dr Peter Gillespie.
To alleviate the issues, the horse has a layer of foam, usually used by dentists, on his front hooves. A special hoof pad sits on top of the foam and a trotting shoe is fitted on top of that.
The shoes are as stylish as you will see on a trotter, though Hoffman is not convinced they rate well in the fashion stakes.
‘‘Peter took video of him trot ting down the beach and found the problem with his pedal bones, and with the help of Paul Constable, who is a great farrier, they came up with a plan to fix his feet.
‘‘The horse is sound and he is happy and he has been training good this week, so we just have to keep him going.’’
The multilayered shoe has helped Heard The Whisper run his first competitive race since February of 2016. He ran fourth — later promoted to third — in a sixhorse field at Forbury Park .
Considering the problems he had faced before returning to the races, that was an epic performance.
Before his return to racing at Forbury Park earlier this month, Heard The Whisper needed treatment for a fractured canon bone.
Seeing the horse trot throughout tomorrow’s race is Hoffman’s main aim and a topfive finish would be considered a bonus.
Heard The Whisper faces stiff competition from a lineup of handy trotters.
Trouble Giero was relegated when Heard The Whisper was promoted at Forbury Park after making a rare mistake.
His stablemate, Trick Star, has also been away from the track for an extended period. The Brent Whitetrained trotter had his first start since June 2016 when fourth at Timaru last weekend.
The resuming Sam Galleon and backmarker Playboy’s Brother look two of the best winning chances in the race.