Top New Zealand pacer Auckland Reactor was forced to the sidelines putting his career comeback on hold after reinjuring his leg prior to today's New Zealand Trotting Cup

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Auckland Reactor was beginning to revive his career after a highly publicized yet disappointing campaign in North America after winning last month's Ashburton Flying Stakes. The son of Mach Three-Atomic Lass appeared to have healed from an injury suffered to his coronet (the area just above the hoof) during that race, but the champion pacer stepped on his front right hoof during a workout session causing the reinjury.

"It would have to be one the hardest phone calls of my life I think," said trainer Mark Purdon on having to inform the stallion's owners of being scratched. "Especially after only just telling them that the injury was looking pretty good and his chances of starting were quite high.

"After the way he has been racing lately, for this to happen is really devastating, everything was going so well with him and he was going to be such a live chance in the race."

Auckland Reactor had been deemed the second favourite to Smoken Up.

(With files from stuff.co.nz)