The last 9 months have been a nightmare for the talented Franco Nester and his Bankstown trainer Martin Herbert. After breaking the Wagga Wagga track record in November last year, Herbert discovered the son of Bettors Delight had fractured his pastern and was forced off the track for five months to recuperate.
On returning to the stable, Franco Nester suffered an entrapment of the epiglottis which Herbert believes led to a massive haemorrhage.
“It hasn’t been a great time for Franco Nester” Herbert said.
“During some trackwork his epiglottis became stuck and cut off his air. I think the resulting pressure caused a blood vessel to burst and he then bled quite seriously. I am not very good with times and dates but I think it all happened about eight weeks ago.”
Fortunately Franco Nester has now fully recovered and is just about ready to head back to the races but Herbert is desperately looking for an event to suit him.
“He is classed M8 now and in that company you never get an easy race so I am looking to try and find a nice race for him away from the city. I really just want to ease him into it.”
“The long term plan with Franco Nester is the Inter Dominion in Christchurch next year. It’s my old home town and I would love to take him over there to compete because I think he will follow speed all day.”
Harness Racing NSW (HRNSW) is the controlling body for harness racing in New South Wales with responsibility for commercial and regulatory management of the industry including 31 racing clubs across the State. HRNSW is headed by an industry-appointed Board of Directors and is independent of Government.
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