UK galloper Jukebox Jury is still in Australia recovering from a hairline fracture to his near-fore cannon bone received in last month’s Melbourne Cup.
The Mark Johnston-trained grey finished 20th in the Cup won by Dunaden and never posed a serious threat.
Jukebox Jury was ranked the highest of the international visitors going into the race on the back of his Prix Kergolay win and Irish St Leger dead-heat for first.
In the St Leger, he beat home Red Cadeaux, the horse who came within a whisker of winning the Cup.
The poor display of Jukebox Jury can be put down to the injury that subsequently ruined Dubai World Cup Carnival plans.
Johnston is hoping the six-year-old will be ready for the Group 1 Ascot Gold Cup (4000m) in England in June.
With his leg heavily bandaged, Jukebox Jury has been confined to the Victorian farm of part-owners Colleen and Kevin Bamford.
The Bamfords, who also share ownership of the 2010 Melbourne Cup winner Americain, bought into Jukebox Jury after the Prix Kergorlay in France in August.
“It was decided to take the conservative approach and not operate,” Colleen Bamford said.
“So it’s been box rest for him for four to six weeks while nature takes its course.
“The horse has such a calm and relaxed attitude for a thoroughbred and I think that will help a lot.”
X-rays next week will reveal how much progress Jukebox Jury has made since the Cup.
“He really should make a full recovery but we’ll know more after Monday,” Bamford said.
“Our property is approved for pre-export quarantine requirements so hopefully he can do his quarantine here before going back to England.”
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