Terry Turning Back The ‘Clock'

BACK in November last year, owner-trainer Terry Medcalf was distraught as he watched classy bitch Shot Clock pull up obviously injured during the running of a heat of the Group 1 Brisbane Cup at Albion Park.

BACK in November last year, owner-trainer Terry Medcalf was distraught as he watched classy bitch Shot Clock pull up obviously injured during the running of a heat of the Group 1 Brisbane Cup at Albion Park.

The Fabregas-Cool Pyjamas bitch had torn her groin and gut muscles and a hugely promising race career was likely over.

She had already won 11 of her 21 starts and Terry was planning ahead with a breeding career for her.

“I was told the chances of getting her back to racing were 70 percent in our favour, but getting her back to break 30 seconds for 520 metres at Albion Park was the biggest question mark over her,” said Terry.

Terry was given plenty of advice about what to do for Shot Clock. He plumped for nature.

“I have always been one to believe nature fixes most things and I let the injury heel for a few months and then started to free gallop her up Capalaba's straight track,” he said.

“And, amazingly, she was running quicker than ever.”

Shot Clock proved that with a flying 331m trial at Albion Park but promptly came on season.

It was merely a hiccup along the comeback trail and last Thursday night Shot Clock led throughout to win a 520m 5th Grade at Albion Park in a flying 29.82 scoring by almost five lengths over Kealoah and Fire To Rain.

It was her 14th victory in 27 starts.

“After the season, she trialled me 22.32 which is just near the track record for 395 metres at Albion Park and there was no doubt she was right back, even  better than ever,” said Terry.

Medcalf is not getting carried away.

He and muscle man Pat Dennis are fully aware the bitch is still a “day to day” racing proposition, and a new problem has raised its head.

“She pulls up with splits in her back feet every time she races now,” said Terry.

“Pat jokes it is speed burn. It makes it very difficult to back her up.”

Terry already had a breeding program mapped out for the bitch and Fernando Bale is the target.

“I've had offers to pay me for her first litter, but I know how good she is and we have already done the homework for her breeding future,” he said.

Litter sister Hot Pyjamas broke in faster than Shot Clock but a heavy fall at
Ipswich early in her career ended her racing very quickly.

“She is due to whelp a litter to Moreira late in August,” said Terry.

In the meantime, Shot Clock will continue to campaign around Albion Park and Terry is adamant she is not pushed to perform because of the nature of her previous and current injuries.

“And, no, her pups will not be for sale,” he said.

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