Metal Bender to miss Doncaster

The Chris Waller trained Metal Bender is out of the Doncaster on Saturday and will be sent to the spelling paddock.

Sydney’s leading trainer was looking to have a possible five runners in the Group 1 $2m Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday but with the withdrawal of Metal Bender and with Waller in two minds about a start for Rangirangdoo, his numbers are dwindling.

Waller wasn’t happy with Metal Bender when he pulled up with heat in his front legs after working at Rosehill this morning and informed Racing New South Wales Stewards that he would be sent for a spell.

The six year old had been nursed back to winning form from multiple injuries and Waller produced him at his second run after a year away from the racetrack to take out the Group 1 $400,000 Daily Telegraph George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on April 7.

Waller was of full praise for the Danasinga gelding and said that it was a mighty effort for him to get back into the Group 1 winner’s stall.

“It’s just an amazing performance. To get these old horses back, it’s a big effort for a horse off a long time. Plenty of work go into these old horses,” Waller said after the win.

“He’s a bleeder and he has tendons and you can’t get many more problems than that.”

Metal Bender is the winner of four Group 1 races, and apart from the George Ryder, he has victories in the 2009 Randwick and Rosehill Guineas as well as the 2010 Doomben Cup.

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.