Thompson Rules Out Egg For Hooked On Scotch

JASON Thompson has shelved hopes of Hooked On Scotch making his return to racing in the Golden Easter Egg at Wentworth Park later this month.

JASON Thompson has shelved any hopes of Australia's premier sprinter Hooked On Scotch making his return to racing in the Group 1 Golden Easter Egg series at Wentworth Park later this month.

Off the scene since suffering ligament damage to a hock following his mind blowing Warragul Cup heat victory on January 3, Thompson has revealed to the Recorder that no firm plans have been mapped out for a return to the track for the two-time group 1 winning sprinter.

"It's all up in the air at the moment," Thompson told the Recorder.

"We had hoped the Easter Egg would be an option but he didn't respond to the treatment as well as we would have first hoped. The ligament that tore scarred up more than what we thought it would so we've had to take it along cautiously.

"He's had a couple of light free gallops over the past week and if all goes to plan we'll put him behind the drag in about two weeks time. That's when we'll get an idea where things are at."

Victorious at 12 of his 20 career starts, included in those successes five at group level, Thompson admits that it's been a difficult time having Australia's fastest sprinter parked at home in the kennels while so many big races are being staged.

"It's been hard watching some of these bigger races and that's no disrespect to the other dogs at all," Thompson added.

"There was a bit of time there that we were worried with how the injury was coming along and if he doesn't come back 100 percent we won't take any risks with him.

"I'm still convinced that if he returns 100 percent we haven't seen the best of him but if it doesn't stand up then he's got nothing left to prove either."

With the likes of Sennachie, Feral Franky, Good Odds Harada and Pindari Express retiring to stud recently, Thompson says having a fit and healthy Hooked On Scotch return to racing can only be good for greyhound racing.


"You see it in the gallops with Winx and now Alligator Blood … those animals with x-factor that get people talking and at the races," Thompson added.

"You want your superstars racing so hopefully Hooked On Scotch is back sooner rather than later. In a few weeks time when he's behind the drag we'll have a better idea where we are at with him.

"But so far so good – I'd love to see him racing until he's 3 ½ – 4."

 

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