SYDNEY's bitter racing scandal has a forgotten player - the horse. We've heard about the bookie, the Immortal, the brothel owner, Gai and Singo.

PHIL ROTHFIELD reports that The Daily Telegraph understands a Racing NSW investigator interviewed Andrew Johns yesterday.

But what about poor old More Joyous? She's wandering around a sprawling property at Mt White, unrecognisable among the scores of other horses on John Singleton's Strawberry Hill complex. It's the heartbreaking story of the Waterhouse-Singleton feud that has rocked Sydney racing.

The champion mare is in a lot of pain. She hasn't eaten grass since she arrived home last Sunday morning. There is swelling on her shoulder, so much that she can't move her head to the left side.

Vets are administering painkillers three or four times a day.

Yesterday Singleton's staff wouldn't allow The Daily Telegraph to photograph the horse.

"She's in good care," Singleton said, "In three weeks we're hoping she'll be back to normal."

The eight-time Group 1 winner is under the care of one of Australia's best horseman.

Heath Harris is a stunt rider who appeared in the The Man From Snowy River and Phar Lap.

His property at Mount White near the Central Coast backs on to Singleton's stud farm.

On Wednesday he spent the entire day with More Joyous, keeping an eye on her progress.

How More Joyous suffered the injury and illness remains uncertain.

Stewards handling Monday's Racing NSW inquiry have called for blood tests and an official veterinary report.

Racing NSW vets travelled to Mt White to inspect the horse yesterday.

It has been established sacked trainer Gai Waterhouse treated the mare with antibiotics in the days leading up to the race. The champ finished down the track in the All Aged Stakes last Saturday in the worst performance of her wonderful career.

Singleton said he will leave it to the inquiry to work out how and when the horse was hurt. He's not sure if the swelling is a result of a bump during the race or from a previous injury.

"I'm playing a straight bat. The horse is crook, that's all I can say," Singleton said. "But she's being well looked after and is in the very best hands. That's all I'm worried about."

STORY SOURCE: SYDNEY TELEGRAPH - NEWS LIMITED.