Flemington Carnival winner set to return

Hard Landing horse
Wed 5th August 2020

Exciting colt Hard Landing is set to return at Moonee Valley on Saturday after spending time away from the track due to a respiratory issue.

The Hayes and Dabernig-trained galloper was a winner at the Fleming Carnival, claiming victory in the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate at headquarters. After saluting, connections had high hopes for Hard Landing, however, a respiratory complaint put those on hold.

In February, Hard Landing returned to the track in the Blue Diamond Prelude but things still weren’t right. After a spell and a treatment of antibiotics, he is finally ready to run.

“We were surprised at how quickly he stopped, but in the days after we were quickly forgiving of it as he got quite sick,” co-trainer Tom Dabernig explained.

“So we had to put him on a heavy course of antibiotics and turn him out for a spell.

“In the more modern era, antibiotics are not as bad as they once were. I remember my grandfather was always wary of giving big doses.

“It can, in certain horses, upset the balance of the gut but if you can get them out on green grass and get their heads down, that seems to help the stomach and help with those respiratory issues as well.

“He looks all healthy and well and his recovery after work seems normal.”

Hard Landing will be the top weight in the race, carrying 62kg. Theresabearinthere is currently the favourite at around the $2.25 mark but punters are giving Hard Landing every chance, with the colt sitting at $6 in the market.

Whether it be table tennis, AFL, or the Spring Carnival, Matt is passionate about all things sport and racing. He also claims to have smashed Ben Simmons to all parts in a game of primary school cricket.