Retirement confirmed for Sweet Dolly

By Tony McMahon

Rockhampton’s darling filly Sweet Dolly, purchased as a weanling for just $1,500, has been retired.

The winner of four from five starts and $448,950 in prize money burst on to the racing scene winning brilliantly at Townsville in late November 2020, before going on for consecutive Eagle Farm and Sunshine Coast metropolitan successes.

This brought about massive sale offers to her Capricorn Coast owners Michelle and Ken Walker that were constantly rejected.

‘Dolly’ vindicated their decision to retain her with an emphatic triumph in the 2YO QTIs Jewel on March 13 last year, earning a wining purse of $300,000.

A suspensory ligament injury surfaced shortly after that career highlight, necessitating a delicate operation involving plasma treatment around the near fore sesamoid joint.

This brought about an extended rehabilitation program where by trainer Kevin Hansen played a willing devoted nurse maid to his prize filly for almost a year.

In announcing her retirement, Hansen said Sweet Dolly disappointed him in winning a Callaghan Park barrier trial on Monday.

The 3YO won the trial over 900 metres in a fashion not akin to her former brilliance, raising alarm bells with him.

“Look I haven’t really been happy with her throughout this prep,” he said.

“When she got beaten at Mackay in February she weakened for third but I was inclined to blame the shocking heat that day.

Even after her first barrier trial win after that in March here (Rockhampton) I wasn’t fully satisfied and thought something was not quite right.

“There was no soreness or anything but she just didn’t seem to be her old self.

“However, in last Monday’s trial it was apparent there was an issue as she never really let down in the straight like she used to.”

As a consequence, the trainer arranged to have Sweet Dolly’s suspect leg re-scanned by his vet.

“This revealed issues around the same areas of the injured ligament and it would be foolish to continue so she has been retired,” the trainer said.

“We certainly did our best for a successful outcome but her (Sweet Dolly) welfare comes first.”

Sweet Dolly is listed for sale at the Magic Millions Broodmare Winter Sale at the Gold Coast in the supplementary catalogue on Tuesday, May 24.