Multi-million dollar stakes winner Bumper Star has been retired after bleeding in his comeback trial at Sha Tin yesterday morning, writes Robin Parke.
Just 48 hours after his stablemate Bumper Storm had won the griffin event at Sha Tin on Sunday, the curtain came down on the former juvenile star who strung together five straight wins.
Trainer Patrick Biancone masterminded Bumper Star's sensational rise and the gelding recorded eight in all before bleeding and other problems restricted racecourse appearances to next to nothing. Bumper Star ran only once last season but Biancone, noted for his patience, had hoped to have him back in action during the latter part of this season.
Owner Woo Koo-ping and friends were on course for the trial but dramatically experienced the ups and downs of racing in just two days. There was understandable elation when Bumper Storm quite brilliantly won on Sunday over 1,200 metres carrying an onerous 135 pounds.
And then there was sheer despondency when it was revealed that a second bleeding attack meant mandatory retirement yesterday for the seven-year-old son of unimpressive stallion, Carmelite House.