Jukebox to be vetted before Todman Stakes

Melbourne two year old Jukebox will have to pass a vet’s check on Friday before being allowed to start in either the Group 2 $300,000 UNSW Todman Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday or the Group 3 $300,000 Mercedes-Benz Canberra Black Opal Stakes (1200m) at Canberra on Sunday.

Jukebox, above, will have to undergo a vet's check before allowed to run in the Todman Stakes at Randwick or the Black Opal Stakes at Canberra. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Jukebox, above, will have to undergo a vet’s check before allowed to run in the Todman Stakes at Randwick or the Black Opal Stakes at Canberra. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Caulfield trainer Ciaron Maher is desperate for Jukebox to run this weekend to earn some much needed prizemoney to improve his position in the Golden Slipper Order Of Entry after he was sensationally scratched from the Group 1 $1.5m Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield last Saturday.

Racing Victoria stewards scratched Jukebox the day before the Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes after their vets found some soreness in the colt’s near fore hoof.

Maher disagreed with the stewards’ finding and declared that Jukebox was fit to run in the Caulfield glamour two year old race but on Monday morning reported to Racing Victoria that a foot abscess had burst on the colts near fore hoof.

Jukebox has overcome the small setback and Maher’s stable vet Dr Peter Angus forwarded a clearance to Racing New South Wales stewards certifying that Jukebox is cleared to race but the colt will also be inspected by Racing NSW Senior Official Veterinarian Dr Craig Suann on Friday afternoon, after he is plated with its usual race plates, approved ¾ glue-on plates in front before clearing the Snitzel colt to race on the weekend..

Racing New South Wales released the following statement.

“Please be advised that Jukebox (trained by Ciaron Maher) which has accepted to race at Saturday’s Royal Randwick meeting on 4 March in the Todman Stakes and is nominated for the Canberra Black Opal Stakes on Sunday 5 March, will be inspected by Racing NSW Senior Veterinarian, Dr Craig Suann on Friday 3 March after the horse arrives from Melbourne.

The Maher stable will submit a veterinary clearance from their stable veterinarian prior to the horse’s arrival.”

Jukebox needs to earn plenty of prizemoney to earn a spot in the Group 1 $3.5m Longines Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill on March 18 as he is currently placed sixty-sixth in the latest Order Of Entry that was released by the Australian Turf Club earlier in the week with only $12,650 of his total earnings of $150,150 being eligible for Golden Slipper balloting conditions.

The $137,500 first prizemoney he collected for winning the Restricted Listed $250,000 Inglis Premier (1200m) at Caulfield on February 4 is not valid because the race was restricted to two year olds sold through the Inglis Yearling Sales.

The weather will determine where Maher will head with Jukebox on the weekend with the Randwick track rated a heavy 9 on Thursday following a week of rain but the track at Canberra is still rated a Good 4.

Jukebox has drawn barrier three in the Todman Stakes while in the Black Opal Stakes the colt has also drawn nicely at gate six with Luke Nolen booked to ride on both days.

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.