Emotions Fly Following Remarkable Return

MICHELLE Sultana could not stop crying, Brenton Avdulla was on the phone from Hong Kong before and after the race, Brad Canty was emotional, and Jackson McDonald the same.

That's the story of Fernando Quality's remarkable return to the racetrack to win at Maitland on Monday night after almost dying in a tragic accident at Wentworth Park on Million Dollar Chase final night in October last year.

The son of Fernando Bale and Caviar Quality was pushed into the safety rail near the Wentworth Park winning post in the final of the Young Star Classic back in October.

“He was split open near the shoulder, broke his scapular, cut the main artery … he was an absolute mess,” said trainer Michelle's partner Daryl Thomas.

“It was the worst accident I have ever seen. We were told not to expect him to live.

“He was rushed off to Colyton Vet Clinic and what a job they did to put him back together.”

After five days, “Tripp” as he is called around home, was returned to the Londonderry kennels shared by Sultana and Thomas.

After nearly dying on the track 5 months ago Fernando Quality is back with a bang! Amazing training effort from Michelle and Darryl to get him back. pic.twitter.com/qPR0VEj9D2

— ???????? BRENTON AVDULLA (@brentonavdulla) March 18, 2024

“At that stage, a normal life for him was to be able to walk around again,” said Daryl.

“The muscle damage was extensive.

“We have so many people to thank from that very night the accident happened, GRNSW, the vet at the track, even the boss Rob (Macaulay). Everyone.”

But Daryl and Michelle were not about to give up.

Fernando Quality had won nine of his 10 starts before the accident in the Young Star, but that mattered for little. Michelle and Daryl were only content with getting the dog back to full health.

“We started with light walking, the walking machine, swimming, the water walker, a small paddock, bigger paddock and then letting him onto the straight,” said Daryl.

“Everything we could do to help him along was done.

“But, this dog has the heart of a lion.

“And we cannot give him enough credit for his comeback.

“It was incredible how he responded to everything we did for him, he worked with us at every turn.”

Fernando Quality was put back into training three months ago and his recent trials were “super fast” says Daryl.

The victory at Maitland came in 22.22, scoring by almost four lengths.

“Michelle was crying all the way from the boxes to me at the catching pen,” said Daryl.

“But, after the race you could see the dog was so proud of himself. He has pulled up amazing.”

Avdulla, Canty and McDonald were all over the moon with the dog's return to racing so successfully.

“Brenton has just won a Group 1 in Hong Kong and is heading to Dubai for a jockey challenge during the World Cup,” said Daryl.

“But, he rang before and after the race and was so excited.

“You never get much out of Brad, but he was pretty emotional at Maitland last night, and so was Jackson.”

Daryl and Michelle have noticed Fernando Quality's racing action has changed.

“He has taught himself to run fast again but with a different action,” said Daryl. “We've noticed it on the videos of him before and last night.

“He's a very, very brave dog. He's found another way to run fast.”