One of Australia’s premier stayers, Burn One Down, has been retired.
After running fifth in last Saturday’s Topgun Stayers at The Meadows, it was decided that the champ needed a rest.
“He’s done enough, he has nothing left to prove. Given his age and the injuries he’s had we didn’t want to continue to race and risk him breaking down,” said Jason Thompson.
“Dave Pringle (owner) and I had been discussing it for the last six weeks.
“We knew that Saturday night would be his last race, providing he even got there, which he did and certainly he didn’t disgrace himself.
“I think with the injuries he’s had and natural wear and tear on his body, he’s probably at least five lengths off what he was in his prime.
“Even though he still wins more than he loses at the highest level, I don’t think his recent performances are a reflection of his true ability.”
He walks away from the track with four group wins and $507,559 in prize money. Thompson said Burn One Down is by far the best stayer ever to pass through his Pearcedale kennel.
“By a long way. Not just the best stayer, but one of the best and fastest dogs we’ve ever had.
“A big dog like him, when he gets knocked around instead of losing a length he probably loses three of four. A dog of his size, it’s rare that they are adaptable. I’ve trialled him over 400m and he’s gone close to records, he can run time from 400m to 700m.”
Burn One Down has called the Thompson kennel home for almost two years and will be missed by the family when he returns to his owner’s property in Clergate, New South Wales.
“This dog has been part of the furniture. He’s got the nicest temperament, he’s an absolute gentlemen.
“Even though we’ll miss him here, he’ll go back to the Pringle’s where he was born and bred.
“The next chapter in his life is becoming a stud dog. It’s going to be just as exciting to see his pups go around as it was him racing.”
Prior to the announcement of Burn One Down’s retirement, he naturally looked to be a force in the upcoming Bold Trease series, however Thompson believes Dusty Gambler is the one who is set to give the series a shake.
“No doubt. I think he’s pretty exciting, this dog. He hasn’t had a lot of work or racing experience to get him where he’s at now.
“I thought his win on Saturday night was very good, especially when you compare his last split to what they ran in the Topgun Stayers. Hopefully he’s only going to get better.
“For anyone who saw his first couple of starts in Victoria it was obvious he was eventually going to race over 700m.
“He didn’t need a lot of work to get him to where he is now, I like to think there’s quite a lot of improvement left in him.
“The way he races I think he’ll be quite an exciting dog to watch over the distance.”
Thompson also revealed Midnight Elsa will be missing the Bold Trease series.
“She won’t be running over 700m until next year.
“That’s also exciting, too. She’s a young stayer on the way up with a lot of ability. On pure talent I don’t think she’s that far behind Burn One Down.
“If she can stay sound on her comeback, 2018 could be a really big year for her.”
The Bold Trease series runs in conjunction with the TAB Melbourne Cup, both finals set for Friday 24 November with heats to be run on the Friday prior.
