Australian Bloodstock will have to rely on Doomben Cup winner Mawingo to chase the Spring riches after Lucas Cranach has been ruled out of another Caulfield – Melbourne Cups campaign.

Lucas Cranach

Lucas Cranach - photo © Steven Dowden

Lucas Cranach has suffered a recurrence of the injury which saw last year’s Melbourne Cup placegetter miss the Sydney and Melbourne Autumn Carnivals and has forced the reshuffle of all the major Spring races’ markets.

As well as being one of the top fancies for the Cox Plate, Lucas Cranach was sharing favouritism in the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups early markets.

Trainer Anthony Freedman confirmed today that Lucas Cranach would miss the Spring, a day after the six year old was nominated for the Group 1 $2.5 BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on October 20 and Group 1 $3m Sportingbet Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 27.

“He has another bone chip in the same place as the last injury, which will need to be removed. He’ll miss the spring,” Freedman said.

But Freedman is hopeful that Lucas Cranach will make a full recovery in time to prepare for the Hong Kong International series in December.

“It’s only a small chip which will be removed easily, so there is still a chance of getting him up for the Hong Kong International series in December. We will be guided by the vets and the horse’s recovery,” Freedman said.

“It’s disappointing for all involved as he was coming along nicely, but he’s too good a horse to take any risks with. He’s young and lightly raced, and there are many options for him in the autumn if we have to wait until then.”

Australian Bloodstock’s Luke Murrell agreed with Freedman to cancel Spring preparations and proceed with surgery to remove the bone chip from his front fetlock.

“Anthony said if it wasn’t a horse of his calibre, then you might be able to push on and manage it,” Murrell said.

“But with him there is no sense doing that. If we look after him, then he’ll be right to race for a few more seasons yet.”

“It’s very, very minor but he is feeling it slightly so we immediately decided to proceed with caution and stop his spring preparation.”

Australian Bloodstock haven’t been left without a genuine chance in the major Spring races with Mawingo shaping up nicely for his return to racing.

Freedman took the lightly raced German import to Brisbane for the winter and came away with the Group 1 $500,000 Kirks Doomben Cup (2000m) at Doomben on May 19 qualifying him for the Caulfield Cup.

Mawingo is ready to resume and Freedman is looking to the Group 2 $220,000 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on September 1 for the stallion’s return.

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.