Rangataua Ray, who overcame a 50m handicap to win at Washdyke on Sunday, has been sidelined with a tendon injury.
"He must have done it in his paddock. I found out when I went to jog him on Monday morning," Peter Wallace, the Temuka trainer and part-owner of Rangataua Ray, said.
"It is unusual in that it is ripped from the outside. It is difficult to assess from a veterinary angle but he is facing several months out and the chance of recovery is not good."
Wallace said he would try a special boot on the right front leg in an attempt to aid the healing process.
The 6yr-old Armbro Operative-Kwaima Star gelding has won 10 races from 43 starts and $105,576 in stakes.
Wallace shares the ownership of Rangataua Ray with breeder Glen Selman, of Kaukapakapa.
