Im Victorious on road to recovery
Star WA pacer Im Victorious is recovering and remains infection-free following life-saving surgery for a severed tendon sustained in last Sunday's Inter Dominion Final at Menangle.
Vets have told trainer Michael Brennan the next 72 hours are critical to the five-year-old gelding, who will not race again.
"His injured leg is still badly swollen," Brennan said.
"But there's no infection in the wound and it's draining effectively.
"Vets expect him to remain in the danger zone for at least another three days, before they can be reasonably confident he'll avoid infection.
"The horse's appetite is good and he appears to have won the first stage of his battle for survival.
"All the signs are positive.
"Our only wish now is that he recovers well enough to enjoy a happy retirement."
Im Victorious, the $5.90 equal second favourite, was running on strongly in the final, won by Beautide.
Sydney reinswoman Lauren Panella shifted out sharply with Mach Beauty at the 100m and his offside sulky wheel struck Im Victorious.
Im Victorious finished 12th of 14 and Mach Beauty ran sixth. Stewards hit Panella with an eight-week suspension.
"Lauren has personally apologised to me," Brennan said.
"She was very upset and told me it was a split-second decision which went wrong.
"Our syndicate has been emotionally shattered."
Im Victorious was unraced when Brennan bought him in New Zealand on behalf of a WA syndicate. He won the $200,000 WA Derby and $175,000 Golden Nugget Championship in 2012 and the $250,000 Fremantle Cup in January this year.
