Uncertain; Star filly Park Life still hasn't returned to work yet this season. Photo by Dan Costello
The waters are still very much muddied for star filly Park Life.
Her brilliant rookie season was prematurely cut short owing to injury, initial reports was shin soreness before further investigation revealed issues with her knees.
Park Life claimed the Gr.1 $322,000 Australian Pacing Gold Fillies Final at TABCORP Park, Menangle in record time (1:53.2) for a juvenile filly last season.
The Rock N Roll Heaven filly hasn’t raced since that triumphant night last April.
And the filly still hasn’t returned to work.
“No, under the advice of the vets we still haven’t attempted to bring her back into work because it’s still very unclear of what is causing the lameness issues. It has been revealed the issues are stemming from the knees but there is no clear explanation on why she isn’t healing.” Regular driver Shane Graham said.
The chances of returning for a three-year-old campaign are looking less likely by the day meaning she will miss all of the major events including most Oaks Classics which connections were thinking last season.
Following all scans and tests being carried out at the Gatton Equine Centre here in Queensland, connections then sent their star filly to Melbourne for further testing.
Park Life underwent a series of exhaustive tests at the Ballarat Equine Centre.
“It was more hope than anything else in sending her to Melbourne, it’s still very strange why the healing process isn’t happening and it’s very frustrating because time is ticking and it’s looking very unlikely she will not race this season.
“Even if she returned to work within a month, that’s really puts us on the back foot to have her ready for the Brisbane winter carnival and that’s all that will be left by that stage of the season.
“As it stands, Nelly is a valuable broodmare in the waiting so is it worth bringing her back if she isn’t going to produce her best again. Her next scan is due within three weeks and hopefully we will get a clearer indication if she is healing or not.”
Park Life has a record of 3 wins and 3 minor placings from 6 career starts to date while banking more than $168,000.
