The racing future of Millwood Nike, one of the most brilliant fillies raced in this country,will be decided after discussions with the owners over the next few days. They are likely to include more than just the extent of the injury and so raise the possibility of her retirement.
The unbeaten three year old filly has a swelling in the near fore the full extent of which is still the subject of some speculation and further exploration but the outcome will only be confirmed following the owner conference.
“She came in from the paddock with some heat in the leg and I quickly realised it could be more serious than that.We got Lindsay (Colwell) over to do a scan straight away” Nathan said.
Unbeaten in 17 starts Millwood Nike promised to eclipse the deeds of many brilliant fillies of other eras, not excluding All Star Stables own, Adore Me, the measuring stick of filly and mare performance in recent times.
Her most recent run in the Nevele R showed again how she could run blisteringly fast times while overcoming the seemingly regular bad gates and in windy conditions,covering much extra ground clocking a 1.54 mile rate for 2.20.4.An even that stunner was a tick slower than she had recorded as a two year old for the same trip. But this time she won by 6 lengths after going.
Both Mark and Nathan have rated her alongside Adore Me, a considerable achievement. Nathan stropped Adore Me and held her in supreme regard and she gave Mark his first New Zealand Cup win in 18 years in 2014 with a superb perfomance. That Millwood Nike has already earned similar acclaim at this stage of her career is a true reflection of her quality
A few days ago Millwood Nike’s owners had all those sort of thrills to look forward to.If that is not the option decided it is a bitter blow not only for them but for the stable and the harness public,looking for their next superstar.
Nathan can be forgiven for thinking he is partly a victim of fate given the last few days.
Amore Vita the Canterbury owned outstanding Australian filly and mare ($668,000) which he trained in his time in Victoria,collapsed and died earlier this week.
“She was right up there when we are talking about super fillies. She had terrific speed but she could sit outside speed and outstay them just as well. She was also very special.You don’t expect that sort of injury when they are out jogging. A bad week”
The mare’s half=sister Amore Infida,also bred by Steve Dolan and Graham Adamson but now raced in American interests,becomes the sole stable runner in the Pacing Oaks on Sunday and “will beat home more than beat her” Nathan said.
But it will not quite be the same without the champion Millwood Nike