Racing: Marika forced out of Derby

Marika, last season's two-year-old pacer of the year, will miss next autumn's New Zealand Derby at Addington after being sidelined for six months.

The Presidential Ball colt underwent surgery at the Canterbury Equine Clinic last week, when two bone chips were removed from a fetlock.

Chertsey trainer Laurence Hanrahan said the injury was discovered after Marika wilted to finish sixth in the Great Northern Derby on December 17 - the first time he had finished further back than second in 13 starts.

Hanrahan and driver Ricky May wondered why Marika pulled up so quickly after putting a length and a half on the field early in the run home.

"He has never given up like that before, so it was good to find a reason," Hanrahan said.

After cooling off, Marika was "like a dog with a sore paw", but the area never swelled up.

"There was also a bit of damage to the fetlock joint in the same leg, but it's all cleaned up now," Hanrahan said.

Marika has raced only 13 times for seven wins and five seconds, winning $222,991 in stakes.

Meanwhile, Sir Lance, the smart Hanrahan-trained Sir Vancelot four-year-old, will race again at Auckland on Friday night before returning to Canterbury.

- NZPA