Green Mask has injury scare ahead of HK Sprint

Green Mask’s participation in Sunday’s Hong Kong Sprint (G1) was cast into question Wednesday with news of a late injury scare. The Wesley Ward trainee worked about a half-mile in :47.3 over the Sha Tin turf on Monday, but exited the move with a foot bruise.

The unfortunate development was reported as follows by the Hong Kong Jockey Club:

The Stewards have been informed by Dr P Curl, Executive Manager, Veterinary Regulation, that GREEN MASK, trained by W Ward, was found to be lame in its left front leg as a result of foot bruising following that horse working on Monday, 7 December 2015.

The Stewards have been advised that the horse is responding well to treatment and accordingly GREEN MASK will be declared for the aforementioned race tomorrow morning.

A further release will be issued at the appropriate time.

Dr. Chris Riggs, who leads the HKJC’s Veterinary Clinical Services, provided further information to Alan Aitken of the South China Morning Post.

"I am not dealing with the horse,” Riggs said, “but, having spoken to my colleague down in the quarantine stables who is, I understand it is not a foot abscess but some bruising.

"The farrier has been in to reset the horse's shoe and the foot is being iced and will be looked after like that for a day or two and hopefully that will be enough to get him to the race.

"It isn't what anyone likes to see going towards a race but, by the same token, it is not an uncommon type of situation.

"Hopefully, it will settle down quickly and we are reasonably confident Green Mask will be fit to take his place on Sunday."

Last seen finishing third to fellow Hong Kong Sprint contender Mongolian Saturday in the October 31 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1), Green Mask had previously mixed it up on the world stage with a fine third to Sole Power and Peniaphobia in the Al Quoz Sprint (G1) on Dubai World Cup night. He would also get a rematch with those two on Sunday, if he makes it to the gate.

Photo of Green Mask on the course Monday, courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.