Red Flame – mother to be
Red Flame, fourth in the Klawervlei Majorca, Tibouchina and Poinsettia plus runner-up in the Prix du Cap, will race in-foal for the first few months of the season, writes Michael Clower.
Neill Bruss said: “She hurt herself in her last start (the Garden Province) but she is fine again now and she was covered by Duke Of Marmalade last week. As soon as we see evidence of a heartbeat in the foal she will go back into training and race on.”
It is less common for mares to race when in foal in South Africa than in many countries in Europe where they can become key players in the punters’ armoury as they often show dramatic improvement. Vets are unsure exactly why this is but usually attribute it to hormones settling down.
Meanwhile, Chris Puller, forced to give up his rides last week and go for a scan on his neck and shoulders, aims to be back on Saturday week.
He said: “There was a bit of inflammation on a disc and I was given a cortisone shot. I have to do a week or two of physio and then I will be OK again.
“There was pressure on a nerve, basically wear and tear for a jockey with falls and the position you ride in. The disc gets slightly inflamed and the inflammation pushes on the nerve sending the pain from your neck to your arm. I am happy with the outcome and my first meeting back will be Durbanville on the 19th.”
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