Unbeaten Bedazzled Babe Sidelined With Injury

UNBEATEN rocket Bedazzled Babe has been scratched from Wednesday afternoon's 330-metre fifth grade final at Richmond with injury.

“She's got a crack to a fibula – she'll be on the sidelines for around a month," said her trainer Brett Moore on Tuesday.

Last Wednesday Bedazzled Babe flew over the Richmond 330 metres in a blinding 18.38, just .02 of a second outside the 18.36 track record set by Sam Sultana's top flight short-courser Caviar Quality in July.

That victory made it eight from eight for the hugely talented daughter of Fabregas and Bedazzled Bead, beginning her career in amazing fashion for her first time trainer.

"I got her checked over the weekend by Ian Hilditch and then took her to Peter Yore who confirmed the crack on Monday," Moore explained.

"It hasn't come at a great time because we were targeting her at the Fireball at Goulburn in a few weeks and I was also really keen to race at Richmond tomorrow (Wednesday) to get a line on where she's at against Lochinvar Chase.

"Don't get me wrong, he's half a freak, but it would have been good to see where we were at and get a guide next to him."

While downcast that his unbeaten star will be relegated to the sidelines, Moore is remaining philosophical.

"It may be a blessing in the long run and prolong her career," Moore added.

"I know one thing, she's going to be a handful for the next month being kept to the lead and water walker.

"The main thing is that it's not too bad and we got it nice and early."

If facts and figures count for anything, there's a good chance the Richmond 330 metre track record may go by the wayside this Wednesday afternoon.

Robert Smith's boom youngster Lochinvar Chase returns to Richmond after scoring at Maitland over the 400 metres last Thursday in a breathtaking 22.00.

The son of Barcia Bale and Elcee Jay, winner at each of his four starts, began his career with blistering 18.43 and 18.53 performances at Richmond over the 330 metres and looks to be going even better now.

One would imagine that puts the 18.36 time-standard under grave danger this Wednesday.