Unfortunate that Kauto Star got injured, says Clive Smith
Saddened by Kauto Star’s sudden injury, owner Clive Smith has said that he wants to run his 12-year-old horse in the Cheltenham Gold Cup only if he is fully fit for the big battle. Meanwhile, he was not reluctant to say that it was shame that the news had
not come out earlier.
Trainer Paul Nicholls revealed Kauto Star’s injury on Tweeter, saying that the champion gelding fell during a practice session on Friday. He also described that following a terrible tumble, Kauto Star is doubtful for the imminent Cheltenham Festival.
The veteran is scheduled to take part in the Grade 1 BETFRED CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP, to be held on March 16. In last year’s event, Nicholls’ trainee ended up third on the table.
Kauto Star is one of the most preferred contenders for the upcoming mega event and his exclusion from the meeting will be a huge setback for the horseracing fans.
Soon after Nicholls’ tweet, Smith told racingpost.com that he himself saw Kauto Star falling down during a round of schooling. Expressing serious disappointment over the incident, he said:
"It only happened on Friday but equally we were just trying to see whether it was serious or not. It's just unfortunate that it's happened and I'm just taking the advice given to me but it's a shame it perhaps hasn't come out earlier."
"There was no good warning everybody unless there was something to warn them about and we just didn't know how he would recover day-by-day. Kauto Star is fine in himself, but he's bruised and probably stretched one or two muscles he might not have wanted
to,” he added.
Despite wishing to see Kauto Star running in the Gold Cup, Smith elucidated that no risk will be taken over the horse’s health. The owner explained that the medical team is keenly observing Kauto Star’s recovery and the gelding will be sent to the race only
after one hundred percent fitness.
The French horse is yet to make an outing this year. On the Boxing Day, he sealed an emphatic win in the Grade 1 William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton.
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