2013 Melbourne Cup contender Kelinni has been ruled out of the Group 2 Hill Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday after suffering a colic attack last night.
Trainer Chris Waller is hopeful that the minor setback will not affect the 2013 Melbourne Cup chances of Kelinni. Photo by: Steve Hart
The setback is not expected to rule the five-year-old out of the remainder of the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival but it capped off a dramatic evening at the Waller stable, with Beaten Up ruled out of the same race due to a tendon strain.
Waller announced the disappointing news on his website this morning and said that he has been forced to reassess the spring plans for Kelinni, who came out of nowhere to finish fourth in the 2012 edition of the Melbourne Cup (3200m).
“I guess with a lot of nice horse you have to have some bad news and over the last twenty-four hours we have received our share,” Waller said.
“Kelinni had a bout of colic overnight and had to be treated with anti-inflammatories.
“Therefore he is unable to race on Saturday; he will be scratched out of what is a very important race for him.
“Fortunately, we still have a bit of time up our sleeves and it doesn’t rule out Caulfield and Melbourne Cups but it is important that I get him to the races in two weeks’ time for the Craven Plate.
“After a week we will make a call and see how he has come through this but you have to remember first and foremost is the horses’ health and longevity.
“It is very disappointing; he will be fine I’m sure.”
Kelinni earnt himself a run in last year’s Melbourne Cup with a victory in the Group 3 Lexus Stakes (2500m) on Victoria Derby Day but should be able to qualify for the field this year after being allocated 53kg by Racing Victoria Chief Handicapper Greg Carpenter.
The Refuse To Bend gelding has made a promising start to his 2013 Spring Racing Carnival campaign, finishing tenth in the Group 2 Warwick Stakes (1400m) before running on well when finishing seventh behind stablemate Hawkspur in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m).
Waller will be represented in the Hill Stakes field by Moriarty and Bayrir.
