Craig Demmler has been busy nursing his horses back to health after a virus swept through his Carrum Downs stables.– Glen Atwell
SUNDAY’S tricode meeting at the Cranbourne racecourse won’t be as busy for father and son harness racing team Ted and Craig Demmler this year.
The Cranbourne duo would normally field several runners on the harness program, but a recent virus swept through the stable and put their 15 horses out of work.
Craig said it was nothing too serious and the stable had responded well to a short rest.
“It was only a small setback, and, just like people, the team needed a short break from work,” he said.
“We’re slowly bringing the horses back up now but won’t have a runner on tricode day.”
Ted said the virus became apparent after a number of his top horses underperformed.
“It was something we picked up on the racetrack,” he said.
“We had blood tests conducted and they showed a high white blood cell count, but we couldn’t really pinpoint what it was.”
But the pair thinks the tricode day is a great idea.
“It’s a good drawcard for spectators, and I’ve got a few good drives,” Craig said.
