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Top shelf Tasmanian mare Black ‘N’ Tough is unlikely to race again due to the impact a mystery infection has had on her health.

Black ‘N’ Tough, a star of the Tasmanian summer carnival, has been at a Scone veterinary clinic receiving specialist treatment for the infection.

Black ‘N’ Tough was struck down by the leg infection just days after she ended her summer campaign with a second to stablemate Rebel Bride in the $100,000 Tattsbet Stakes at Mowbray in Launceston in February.

She had previously won the $90,000 Newmarket Handicap at Mowbray, finished second to Rebel Bride in the Conquering Stakes and defeated Tasmanian icon Geegees Blackflash in the Kevin Sharkie Stakes at Elwick in Hobart.

Wells said her leg had “blown up like a football” but vets in Tasmania could not pinpoint the cause of the infection.

“We had our vets try and find the cause but with no luck so we ended up sending her interstate to the Scone Veterinary Clinic in NSW,” Wells said.

“They got it under control but she is still in Scone as the infection was so serious that it is highly unlikely she will ever race again.”

Wells with the mare is set to remain in the Hunter Valley until the spring when she will be served by a leading sire, possibly Not A Single Doubt at Arrowfield Stud, before returning to Tasmania.

Black ‘N’ Tough raced 21 times for 13 wins and five minor placings for $285,750 prizemoney.

Meanwhile plans for classy Tasmanian three-year-old Inner Warrior to race in Melbourne this month have been cancelled after he suffered a bleeding attack.

Inner Warrior bled from one nostril after he powered home from last for an emphatic win in the Autumn 3YO Classic at Mowbray two weeks ago.

He suffered the bleeding attack in the float taking him back to his stable at Brighton after the race meeting.

“When we took him off the truck it was evident he had bled from a nostril during the trip home from Launceston,” said trainer Terry Evans.

Evans had to inform the stewards of the bleed and as a result Inner Warrior is banned from racing for three months.

Inner Warrior has been one of the best-performed three-year-olds in Tasmania this season winning the Autumn Classic, 3YO Trophy and $100,000 Listed Tasmanian Guineas.

He also finished third against older rivals in the George Adams WGA at Mowbray won by The Cleaner during the summer carnival.

Evans said Inner Warrior will spend eight weeks in the paddock and be brought back with the Newmarket Handicap in November a likely first-up option for the gelding.