Roughly, the 10-year-old mare who has captured the hearts of the NT racing public, may never race again.
Trainer Paul Gardner confirmed that the daughter of Kaphero has succumbed to a recurring tendon injury.
It’s shocking news with the Alice Springs Turf Club’s Cup Carnival starting on Saturday.
The Darwin Turf Club suffered a similar blow on the eve of last year’s Cup Carnival when 2021 Darwin Cup winner Highly Decorated, from the Nicole Irwin yard in Murray Bridge, suffered a tendon injury after saluting in his first race back at Fannie Bay.
Highly Decorated, a six-year-old gelding, has recovered from his injury and is set to return to Darwin for the 2023 Cup Carnival come July, but Roughly’s return is questionable.
“Basically, she injured her tendon again – I’ve had dramas with it the whole time that I’ve had her,” Gardner said.
“She’s always had an issue with her leg.
“That’s why she’s had a lot of spells and extended spells over the years.
“It is what it is, so if she doesn’t return I’m quite happy to retire her or be a broodmare mare – put it that way.”
Roughly’s last appearance was on March 11 at Pioneer Park when she finished second in open company over 1100m.
It was following that race when Gardner realised the mare had a problem.
“The last time I nominated her for a race on March 25, I just wasn’t happy with her leg,” he said.
“She was going to race on that particular day and I scratched her that morning.
“I thought it may have been a stable incident, but as it all progressed and I poked along with her it didn’t get much better and so I decided to pull the pin.
“Just let her be a horse and have a decent spell and perhaps retire her.
“It doesn’t really matter what she does, she’s been amazing for me since I got her.”
Naturally, Gardner is hopeful Roughly, who has had 64 career starts for 18 wins and 19 minor placings, can return.
“You never say never, especially in racing,” he said.
“I’ll have a look at her in six months time and I’ll see what she’s like.
“Time is a really good thing.
“She’s getting longer in the tooth every year, but it’s definitely done her good so far after all the lengthy spells she’s had.
“She’s come back a really nice excellent mare.”
Gardner had identified the $100,000 Pioneer Sprint (1200m) for Roughly at the end of the Cup Carnival before fate intervened.
“Her next run was going to be the Sprint, but at the end of the day I wasn’t going to push the point,” he said.
“I was never going to break her down because I’m a great advocate of keeping them on their feet and they’ve got a life after racing.
“Plus she’s well bred, she’s a mare, good credentials, so if she doesn’t produce a good one out of a good stallion I’ll give up.
“She’d probably have to be the best horse I’ve had.
“She’s special because she’s so consistent.
“When everything is going well and she’s on song, she doesn’t miss the first four placings.
“Horses like that are hard to find – she’s also mixed with some of the best.”
Roughly won her first race on debut on the first day of autumn in 2016 for trainers Leon and Troy Corstens when she delivered in 1000m Bendigo maiden as a three-year-old filly.
She then had six starts for Murray Bridge trainer Michael Hickmott, who was based in Darwin at the time before relocating to SA, for two victories at Fannie Bay – including a win on Darwin Cup Day in 2016 – Hickmott also won the Cup that day with Canny Lad.
In June 2017, Roughly debuted for Gardner in the Red Centre – she finished second over 1000m (0-64) – where she went on to have another 39 starts for 14 wins.
She ended up having 18 starts at Fannie Bay, achieving her third win in June 2018 over 1000m (0-76), but sadly injury curtailed her career.
Roughly also spent time with Darwin trainer Phil Cole, Alice Springs trainer Leah Walling-Denton and former Red Centre trainer Carly Cook when Gardner stepped away from racing in July 2019 because of personal and health issues.
Gardner made a triumphant return as a trainer on November 5 last year when Roughly prevailed over 1600m (BM76), but by that stage the mare’s renaissance was in full swing.
Since July 17 last year, Roughly had 17 starts from 1000-1600m for eight wins, four seconds, three thirds and two fourths – an incredible effort considering she was off the scene from September 2020 until May 2022.
During that period she had never raced beyond 1300m before winning twice over 1400m and twice over 1600m – and although she regularly lumped more than 60kg there were times she would carry 62.5kg to victory.
Roughly’s plight is a tough pill for Gardner to swallow as he also deals with another bout of cancer.
“Yeah, it’s definitely a sad moment because you realise that she’s been with us for nearly five years and myself and the family are all involved,” he said.
“When you get something that goes that well, they’re hard to come by, very hard.
“She’s a dream, the ideal mare, a good type of mare, eats, and loves her work.
“Cancer is a horrible thing, but you’ve got to keep on top of everything.
“I’ve obviously been through the mill the last five years – numerous operations, chemotherapy and radiation.”
Andrew Maloney, Chairman of the Alice Springs Turf Club, expressed his dismay when informed of Roughly’s injury.
“That’s sad news on the eve of the Carnival, she would have been a crowd favourite,” he said.
In Roughly’s eight wins since last July, Darwin jockeys Sonja Wiseman, who ended up becoming the mare’s regular rider, and Casey Hunter had six wins and two wins, respectively.
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