Injury Robs Sequana Of Carnival Chase Tilt

A slightly torn pin muscle has put Group 1 class bitch Sequana out of the heats of this Thursday's Listed Carnival Chase (600m) at Albion Park.

Mick Zammit, kennel spokesman for his trainer wife Selena, said the Zambora Brockie-Lilly Sur Seine bitch had sustained the injury when winning at headquarters last Thursday night when holding off Pump It by a half-length.

“You can never tell when  they actually did the injury,” said Mick. “But it is a slight tear high up and we are hoping she will be right within three weeks.”

The Zammits are disappointed the bitch misses out on the 600m Listed event.

“The run was fabulous last week,” said Mick. “She slipped coming out of the boxes and still ran 34.87.”

The Zammits are hoping Sequana, winner at 24 of her 44 race starts and $131,000 in stakes, can be right for a start in the G1 Brisbane Cup (520m) the heats of which will be run on June 24.

They had been hoping to put together three 600m races in succession to have the bitch fit enough to be tested over 710m with the Dashing Corsair and Queensland Cup likely targets during June and July.

Mick Zammit said Sequana had been a relatively sound bitch during her race career with a torn muscle being her only real problem and that was a year ago.

“She didn't tear the pin right out but that in itself can be a worry because it can be annoying when trying to prepare them again,” he said.

“We did wonder why she appeared to get tired at the finish last week. Now we know why.”