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A below-par performance first-up from a spell and the subsequent discovery of some health issues has put a tilt at a third-straight Group 1 Trotters Mile out of reach for Big Jack Hammer.
The David Aiken-trained gelding had been aimed at this weekend’s race – one he has won in both 2019 and 2020 – but has not been taken to New South Wales for the feature carnival.
In his first run for nearly five months, Big Jack Hammer finished ninth, beaten almost 30m, in The Knight Pistol at Tabcorp Park Melton on February 13. He was then taken for further checks.
“We got his lung washed and he’s actually having a few allergies to the dust, so we had to back off him and treat him,” Aiken said.
“It’s like an asthma thing.
“He hasn’t stopped working and went good last Saturday morning.”
Big Jack Hammer sits equal sixth on the list of Australian Group 1 winners since 2001, with five triumphs at the elite level coming among his 20 victories from 88 starts.
With Andy Gath-trained Majestuoso a scratching from the Aquagait Equine Centre Trotters Mile at Tabcorp Park Menangle, Victoria will be represented by four horses in the $50,000 Group 1 for the squaregaiters. Pink Galahs (trained by Matthew Craven), Always Ready (Anton Golino and Jack MacKinnon), Red Hot Tooth (Kari Males) and Havehorsewilltravel (Gath) are all accepted for the event.