Mepunga Ruby On Comeback Trail From Injury

STAR staying bitch Mepunga Ruby is on the comeback trail after a hock fracture sidelined her back in June.

Breeder-owner Barry Smith said this on Wednesday.

The daughter of Fernando Bale and Mepunga Rosie cracked a hock when moving up early in the final of The 715 at The Gardens back on June 4.

She dropped out to finish sixth behind Miss Ezmae.

The winner of 21 of her 39 starts and $386,000, Mepunga Ruby won the Group 1 Super Stayers, has been placed at the elite level four times and a Group 1 finalist three times.

“Yes, we are hoping to get her back on the track,” said Smith.

"That's a breath taking stayer on the up!" – @Jayvdm91

Mepunga Ruby (2) with the second fastest gallop over 715m of 2021, 41.444!

Full results | https://t.co/rOLUKAwVFR pic.twitter.com/JfUKQCzyJr

— Sandown Greyhounds (@sandowndogs) August 19, 2021

“She cracked a bone in the hock which was operated on. Only this week she has had the screw removed and now Jeff (her trainer Jeff Britton) will put her back on the walking machine and start to get some fitness into her.

“We believe she deserves a chance to make a comeback to racing.”

Mepunga Ruby turned three in March.

Smith said he would not contemplate mating the bitch during winter even if she had come into season.

“She has had only 39 starts and still has plenty of age on her side to make a comeback,” he said.

“Of course, she does not need to do any more for us than she already has.

“Jeff asked me what I wanted to do with her future and it was agreed she could come back into training.”