New Zealand champion Sunline is showing signs of improvement in her battle to survive a life-threatening hoof condition.
A 13-time group one winner, Sunline is suffering from laminitis, a result of complications after surgery for colic in July.
The hoof condition stems from the toxins of the colic working through the New Zealand mare's body and into her feet, and severely restricts her movement.
However, her former co-trainer Stephen McKee said at Sandown today that the 13-year-old, who won two Cox Plates, was responding to treatment and he was cautiously optimistic about her chances of winning the battle.
"She is quite lame and walking gingerly," McKee said.
"She is gradually improving but there is still a long way to go yet." He said Sunline was still in danger and that she "needs to go the right way".
A Sydney vet was called in to cut tendons in her legs to realign her feet in the hope it will help her recover.
An Australian Hall Of Fame inductee, Sunline was one of the best mares to race in Australasia, winning 32 of her 48 starts including back-to-back Cox Plates in 1999-2000 and more than $A11 million ($NZ13 million) in prizemoney.
She gained international recognition when winning the 2000 Hong Kong Mile.
