Tough Times For NSW Origin Hopes

NSW has received a massive blow on the eve of Thursday night's hugely anticipated UBET State Of Origin series at Albion Park with star sprinter Two Times Twice scratched from the Match Race event.

Winner of the Group 2 Queensland Derby at Albion Park in April, Two Times Twice, a member of the outstanding April '16 Fernando Bale – Chica Destacada litter, faces possible surgery and a lengthy stint on the sidelines after injuring a hock on Tuesday morning.

"It appears he's done a hock this morning at his last hit-out before heading north," part-owner/breeder Peter McDermott told The Recorder.

"John (Finn, trainer) was very disappointed this morning but he's hopeful it's not career-threatening. The prognosis is fairly positive, although he could require surgery next week when the swelling goes down.

"The match race format would really have suited him but it wasn't to be. We've been blessed so far with the four dogs in the litter, but this brings you back to earth.

"It's put a bit of a dampener on the build-up to the State Of Origin series, which has been very interesting to follow, but we're still thrilled that Poco Dorado, Two Times Twice's litter sister, has been invited to compete in the Distance event."

Poco Dorado will add enormous interest to the innovative State Of Origin fixture when she makes her staying debut in the $30,000 to-the-winner Distance event over 710m, following a sensational middle distance hat-trick, headlined by near-record victories over 600m at Dapto (34.17) and 618m at Richmond (35.27).

"John has always had the opinion that Poco Dorado would make a stayer and her three middle distance runs have indicated she's very strong at the end of 600m," McDermott offered.

"The selectors saw enough in those 600 runs to give her an invitation and I think she will definitely add some X factor.

We've seen it plenty of times over the years in the rugby league Origin series when they've selected a bolter out of the blue and she's drawn box four as well on Thursday night!

"We're believers – we've had to be believers in NSW over the past ten years of State Of Origin football – and it's just great to be part of this series."