Christiano fights for life after operation
WA Derby winner Alta Christiano is fighting for his life after suffering an adverse reaction to stem-cell treatment.
The Gary Hall Sr-trained star has been closely monitored at the Lark Hill Veterinary Clinic since the procedure two weeks ago.
Connections opted for the treatment to repair Alta Christiano's near fore suspensory ligament, which he tore after a Byford trial win in May.
The three-year-old is unbeaten from three starts in WA after a syndicate of Hall's clients bought an 80 per cent share in him from New Zealand owners.
He scored a brilliant win over Macha in the $200,000 WA Derby (2536m) at Gloucester Park in April.
"We don't know if he'll pull through, but we're hoping," Hall said.
"He's still under constant treatment. We're not sure if he picked up an infection or had a bad reaction to the stem-cell treatment."
Hall is hoping for a change of fortune at Gloucester Park tonight.
He has Real Hammer and Heez Orl Black taking on smart three-year-old Condrieu in the feature race, the $35,000 John Higgins Memorial (2130m).
The Greg and Skye Bond-trained Condrieu, a winner of three of his past five starts, is the one to beat from barrier three.
Hall is not sure Real Hammer, who ran second at Northam in his WA debut last Tuesday week, can cross Condrieu from barrier four.
Heez Orl Black will start from the outside of the front line in gate seven.
"Both of mine haven't drawn so well," Hall said.
"Real Hammer is a nice horse - probably as good as Condrieu - but the draw has tipped the scales in Condrieu's favour."
Hall has champion pacer Im Themightyquinn primed to win the George Maloney Memorial Pace (2536m) at his 100th start.
