On today's episode of Trot Radio, the trainer and co-owner of 2011 Horse of the Year San Pail provides a status report on the injured star trotter and calls on the industry to show support and solidarity this weekend in Ontario.
The last update on San Pail came two months ago, at which time Hughes was preparing to start jogging the 2011 Horse of the Year winner in both Canada and the U.S.
"'Pail' seems really good. We've had him back jogging now for two weeks and he's really strong, maybe a little bit ahead of where we need to be just because he is so headstrong and wants to get back at it," Hughes told Trot Radio's Norm Borg in an interview taped on Tuesday.
Getting back at it seems to be more of an urgent issue for San Pail than his trainer, who is willing to take his time with the triple millionaire to ensure his pupil's in peak condition.
"We haven't really set any schedule as far when we'll be back, in the spring or early summer,' continued Hughes. "He'll likely be ahead of schedule...we'll try to hold him back just as long as we can and make sure he stays sound. "
Now nine, San Pail is not showing his age with three and a half miles of jogging and Hughes noting "that doesn't seem to be any problem to him at all."
One thing Hughes does have a problem with is the way the Liberal government has treated horse racing over the last year and he'll be making his way to the upcoming Liberal leadership convention to let the new Liberal leader he's among the individuals in horse racing disgruntled by the OLG modernization strategy.
"I think it's really important [to attend]. I know everyone has their reasons for not making it but if they can make it out to this one this week I think it's really going to count," stated Hughes. "If we only get a couple hundred people out there I don't think it's going to do much for us."
Hughes stated that the government has horse racing "in a bad spot right now where we don't know what's going to happen and we're basically running scared."
To listen to the full interview, click the play button below.
Episode 284 – Trainer Rod Hughes
Audio Format: MP3 audio
Host: Norm Borg