By MIKE DILLON
Trainer Paul O'Sullivan says he has no idea what percentage of air smart galloper Kasman gets through his career-saving hole in the neck.
"But it must be a fair bit or he couldn't have done what he did on Saturday," said O'Sullivan after Kasman recorded a remarkable first-up win at Te Rapa under 58kg.
Whatever percentage of normal oxygen Kasman gets from the rare operation which allows him to breathe through his neck, it is an awful lot more than he was getting without it.
An operation to clear blockages to Kasman's respiratory system was a complete failure and his racedays looked over.
"The closedown on air was almost 100 per cent - he was the worst case I have ever seen, as bad as you would ever get," said the Matamata trainer.
In a procedure used occasionally in England, a brass plug was inserted into the underside of Kasman's neck four weeks ago.
The brass bung is removed for trackwork and racedays.
It might look ghoulish, but it has never bothered Kasman, says O'Sullivan.
"I have never noticed him shake his head or rub his neck like some horses can do, he seems totally at ease with it.
"I've never seen him have even the slightest amount of discomfort.
"He has actually been a marvellous patient."
O'Sullivan said the plug is cleaned daily.
"There has never been any sign of infection. If you are not prepared to do the maintenance you shouldn't have had the operation performed."
Kasman, a four-year-old gelding by Kashani out of Frosting, has always shown topline ability.
But even so, O'Sullivan had no idea what to expect from the horse's first raceday start with the new breathing technique.
O'Sullivan was mildly surprised how well the horse won, considering he had drawn a wide barrier and was under topweight.
"To be honest, he hadn't been working like he was going to win."
Ridden by Lance O'Sullivan on Saturday, Kasman won the Danske Mobler $20,000 (1200m) by one and a half lengths from Million Stars.
Mendacity was third, half a length back.
Kasman will go straight into the $250,000 McDonogh Stakes at Ellerslie on January 1.
"On what he did on Saturday he has to be very competitive with something like 50kg on his back if he draws an inside barrier," said O'Sullivan.
Racing: Kasman can now leave his rivals gasping for a change
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