Racing: Knight prospects fighting fit after shaking off bug

Onedin Onyx is one of two runners for Roxburgh trainers Geoff and Jude Knight in race 9 at...
Onedin Onyx is one of two runners for Roxburgh trainers Geoff and Jude Knight in race 9 at Forbury Park tonight. PHOTO: MATT SMITH
A rare spring grass growth in Roxburgh is behind trainers Geoff and Jude Knight as they fire up their racing team for the summer and Forbury Park tonight.

The stable was laid low after lush grass caused a stomach complaint to sweep through the racing team.

Geoff Knight said an unusually wet spring had led to the lush grass in their paddocks, which led to lactic acid build-up in the horses' muscles.

The horses are now being stabled in loose boxes and yards until the grass dries off.

''Everything's back on track - it wasn't a virus, which was really good,'' Knight said.

''It was a gastric-type bug, and they're all over it and all healthy. It's something we've never had to worry about, but this year has been unseasonably wet and then hot weather.

''Once summer comes, there's no grass up here and we'll be fine.''

Knight praised the work of veterinarian Peter Gillespie, who went ''above and beyond'' to help the Knights with the widespread complaint.

Zenmach and Onedin Onyx (race 9) were both affected by the bug, but are fighting fit for tonight's c2-c3 mobile pace.

Zenmach drew poorly at Wyndham on Sunday but rounded off his race nicely to run fifth.

''He was underdone and with the draw we didn't want to knock him round,'' Knight explained.

''We just let him run home under his own steam and win if he could. But when he was as back as far as he was, it wasn't going to happen. He's improved immensely for the run.''

The Knights would not normally back up a promising 3yr-old five days later, but they were concerned at a lack of options in the coming weeks for the son of Mach Three.

''We looked through the programmes and there's nothing in Otago and Southland for him for five weeks. They're all 4yr-old and older or two to seven-win stands over 2700m, and we just want to look after him - he's only 3. He won't start again until December.''

Knight expects driver Matthew Williamson will press forward from the gate with the gelding, which could leave stablemate Onedin Onyx in the trail from his barrier 1 draw.

''That would be ideal. Whether that pans out that way is another thing - other drivers might have other ideas,'' Knight said.

''He was well affected as well [by the bug], but he's back on track and he's working really nicely.''

Hezabluechipboy is the best of the Knights' two runners in race 4, despite coming into the 2200m mobile pace in a fresh state.

''He's working really good - he'll be really bold fresh up,'' Knight said.

''He might need a run, but having said that, he's fairly forward.''

Thinking Smart represents the Knights in the same race as well, although Knight said the mare was place money ''at best''.

Onedin Sapphire, a half-sister to Onedin Onyx, debuts in race 3, but Knight said she would learn plenty from the run, while Moa Bones is a ''runner's chance'' in race 6.

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