Flight Stakes favourite Omei Sword out with respiratory infection

Leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller has been forced to scratch the short priced favourite Omei Sword from the Group 1 $500,000 Sydney Airport Flight Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday because of a respiratory infection.

Favourite Omei Sword, above, has been scratched from the Flight Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

Favourite Omei Sword, above, has been scratched from the Flight Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

Omei Sword was the $1.65 favourite with Ladbrokes.com.au at the time of her withdrawal on Thursday morning leaving the Sunshine Coast trained Yankee Rose at the top of the reshuffled Flight Stakes market order at $1.70.

Waller notified the Racing New South Wales stewards this morning that Omei Sword had pulled up not one hundred percent after her work today and a subsequent examination of her throat revealed all was not well and the High Chaparral filly would be treated and spelled and will miss the rest of the Spring Carnival.

Racing New South Wales released the following statement:

“Trainer Mr Chris Waller has reported to Racing NSW Stewards this morning that Omei Sword did not please him with her recovery after this morning’s work and consequently an endoscopic examination was performed. The endoscope revealed the filly to have a respiratory infection and consequently has been withdrawn from Saturday’s Sydney Airport Flight Stakes at Royal Randwick.

Mr Waller advised that due to the lack of time left for the remainder of the Spring Omei Sword will now spelled.”

Omei Sword had been installed the favourite for the Flight Stakes against the fillies after finishing second to John O’Shea’s quality colt Astern in the Group 1 $1m De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill on September 10.

At her previously start Omei Sword looked in sensational form when she scored a first up three and a quarter lengths win in the Group 2 $175,000 Alpha Flight Services Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on August 20.

Yankee Rose will race without the blinkers in the Flight Stakes after trainer David Vandyke decided to remove them after the filly overraced slightly with them on when left in front in the Golden Rose before finishing sixth.

The field for the Flight Stakes has now been reduced to six fillies following the earlier withdrawal of the Peter and Paul Snowden trained Quick Feet.

Market order for the Flight Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au: $1.80 Yankee Rose, $4.50 Global Glamour, $6.50 Skylight Glow, Awoke, $9.50 Sezanne, $41 Bridle Lane.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.