Case Study – West On Nero
Age/Sex: Born 10 April 2019, male.
Status: Retired, 4 years 8 months
No of Race Starts: 101
Trainer: Shane Beard.
Prize Money: $16,725
INJURIES TO DATE: 8 documented injuries, 3 no apparent injuries, no off-track injury scratchings
On 13 February 2022 West On Nero sustained a right shoulder tear while racing at Mandurah. A 14-day stand-down was required, but he actually required 25 days off racing. On 10 March 2022, his first race following injury, he is documented as experiencing knee pain. A 14-day stand-down period was imposed but the next day, trainer reported he needed 4 weeks off.
West On Nero actually had 50 days off racing, starting for his next race on 29 April 2022 at Mandurah. In that race, soreness in the lower spine was reported, incurring a 7 day stand-down period. He then had 34 days off racing, but passed a solo trial at 27 days.
West On Nero’s next race was on 9 June 2022, with no apparent injury. He then had 18 days off racing, returning to the Mandurah track on 26 June 2022 before sustaining a torn groin and sore right shoulder muscle on 30th June 2022. A 21-day stand-down period was imposed, though he had 24 days off racing. His next race was on 24 July 2022 and he completed in 11 further races without any reported injuries.
On 31 October 2022 at the Northam track, West On Nero sustained a hock sprain and minor muscle tears to the right hip and left pencil muscle. A 21-day stand-down period was imposed. On 30 December 2022, after 60 days off racing, he was returned to the track to complete at Mandurah, completing that race and 2 subsequent races with no reported injuries.
He raced again on 19 January 2023 with no apparent injury but was issued with a direction to undertake a solo trial by the on track vet. He passed this on 23 February 2023, 35 days later, but was actually absent from racing for 59 days.
On 21 May 2023, West On Nero competed at Cannington track and sustained a sore left wrist, incurring a 10 day stand down period. He returned to Northam track 18 days later. Between 21 May and 16 November, he competed in 17 races without any reported injuries. On 7th December 2023, however, he competed at Mandurah and sustained a minor right groin tear. This injury prompted a 10-day stand-down. He returned to the Mandurah track on 21 December 2023 and sustained right carpal (wrist) soreness, prompting a 28-day stand down.
On 18 January 2024 West On Nero was retired, aged 4 years and 8 months old.
West On Nero competed in 101 races over a career spanning 23 months, incurring injuries or soreness in 8 races (8%). His total stand period time was 125 days (average 15.6 days), but his total time off for these periods was 253 days (average 31.6 days). While it is acknowledged that other factors could have prevented a quicker return to the racetrack, it seems obvious that the stand-down times issued by on-track vets or stewards are consistently inadequate.
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