2020 was a year of highs and lows for Wekaforce and the team surrounding her. January 2021 was going to be the culmination of four years hard work as she travelled to Trentham to contest the Group 1 Telegraph. On the surface and to the human eye and understanding, everything seemed perfect. All the boxes were checked….
Trainer happy – check
Wekaforce condition and performance – check
Weather and track conditions – check
Her favourite Jockey agrees to ride her – check
Perfect travel conditions from Christchurch to Trentham – check
Barrier Draw – #2 – Check
For the first time we had almost 50 Wekas on course that day, looking splendid in their race day gear and their expressions filled with high hopes for a dream to be realised. A group of over 20 Wekas opted to enjoy the corporate hospitality and luncheon in Corporate box one. We had a great day but as one of our Wekas commented –
“Apart from one minute and seven seconds, it was a fabulous day” From Weka AC !!
What was not visible / obvious to the naked eye became the deciding factor for the outcome on race day. The Force looked wired up like a spring as she paraded in the birdcage. From the getgo, it seemed perfection would continue as Wekaforce jumped first and held that placing for the first 400 metres with an exceptional sectional time of 0.24.27 seconds. Once she hit the straight she couldn’t hold that placing and her final placement was 11 from 11 runners. Not the number 1’s we were all hoping for. We were left disappointed and concerned – what happened and even more importantly was she OK? Wekaforce pulled up OK and travelled back to the South Island for a full vet check. What was revealed was there was a good reason for her unsuccessful performance on raceday and that a veterinary procedure was required in order for her racing career to continue. The Vet report was encouraging and the decision was made to go ahead. Wekaforce would then have six months off as there was no point in bringing her back for winter racing – she likes firm ground. And so she is happily grazing on South Island grass at Terri’s place and a full contingent of Wekas have opted to keep on going for another crack at the Telegraph in 2021. Bring it on I say.
THE GALLOPING WEKAS 