Akuta out for rest of 2024

By Michael Guerin

The career of one of Australasia’s best pacers hangs in the balance with the shock news Akuta will not race this year.

The outstanding pacer was supposed to be in Australia campaigning with stablemate Don’t Stop Dreaming, who contests the Hunter Cup this Saturday.

But Akuta missed that trip after injuring himself in a shock trackwork accident two weeks ago and the prognosis since has been far worse than co-trainer Mark Purdon hoped for.

“He threw a shoe and chopped down on himself in his work and we were hoping that it was only superficial damage,” said Purdon.

“But his second scan showed there is more damage than we thought and sadly he is now going to miss the rest of the year.”

That could even, worst case scenario, mean Akuta doesn’t even go back into work in 2024, which would mean he doesn't resume his career until well into 2025.

And with tendons being so tricky and Akuta such a big, solid boy who puts such strain on his body, his entire career might now be in doubt.

His is the second major blow to the All Stars’s glamour horse stocks this summer after unbeaten filly Millwood Nike suffered leg damage, although she is expected to make a full recovery and return to the races far sooner than Akuta.