By Michael Lee – STC
Popular Japanese entire Mikki Joy won’t run the Kranji Mile after he hurt himself at his last race.
Unlike at his last three wins in Singapore where he was hard to topple once he hit the front into the home stretch, the Deep Impact seven-year-old never looked a threat in the Group 3 Moonbeam Vase (1600m) on Sunday. He was further back than usual and was always saddled with an uphill task to make up the deficit.
In the end, Mikki Joy, who has won all his three Kranji races by racing close to the pace, ran ninth around three-and-a-half lengths off the winner Elite Excalibur.
On the next day, there was some swelling to the off-fore fetlock. Further X-rays revealed a chip, throwing his Kranji Mile plans in disarray there and then.
“He went for surgery today. He won’t race for at least another four months,” said trainer Shane Baertschiger.
“He’ll be right. He’s a good horse and we’ll give him all the time he needs to return to full race fitness.”
The Australian’s consolation is that he is still left with Preditor in the Kranji Mile. Last year’s Group 3 Jumbo Jet Trophy (1400m) winner was too distanced to make his presence felt at the business end of the Moonbeam Vase.
He still had to overcome traffic problems in the home straight, charging home late for fifth place to Elite Excalibur.
“Barend (Vorster) didn’t know him well. It was his first time riding him,” said Baertschiger.
“He was too far back but he still quickened up good inside the last 200m. JP (John Powell) will be back aboard him in the Kranji Mile.”
