Trainer Chris Waller has confirmed that Press Statement will not contest the 2015 Cox Plate and will not be seen again during the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival.
Press Statement has been sent to the spelling paddock following his impressive victory in the 2015 Caulfield Guineas. Photo by: Ultimate Racing Photos
Press Statement stamped himself as a Caulfield Guineas contender when he took out the Group 1 J.J. Atkins (1600m) during the 2015 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival and he started his spring campaign with a close second behind Exosphere in the Group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on August 29 before he had no luck whatsoever in the Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes (1400m).
The Hinchinbrook colt went straight to the top of Caulfield Guineas betting markets when he recorded a comfortable win in the Group 2 Stan Fox Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on September 26 and he showed his tactical versatility as well as his talent when he led from start to finish in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on Saturday.
There was speculation straight after the Caulfield Guineas that Press Statement would press on to the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 24 and he was backed into Cox Plate odds of $9.50 with Ladbrokes, but Waller revealed this afternoon that the two-time Group 1 winner would not press on to the Australasian Weight-For-Age Championship and will be saved for an big autumn campaign that could include a trip to the United Kingdom for the Royal Ascot Meeting.
“Whilst we feel the Cox Plate is certainly a race he would be very competitive in, there is no guarantee that running would provide career longevity and therefore he will be sent to the paddock with the intention of being prepared towards the autumn carnival as well as a likely international assignment,” Waller said in a statement.
“In only six months since his debut he has captured multiple Group 1 wins highlighted on Saturday with his dominant victory in the Caulfield Guineas and we feel he has justified his position as one of the best colts in the country.”
Waller is still chasing his first win in the Cox Plate and he is still set to be heavily represented in the 2015 edition of the race with Winx, Preferment and Kermadec.
Glen Boss is set to continue his association with Kermadec in the Cox Plate, while Hugh Bowman and Blake Shinn are in the mix will ride either Preferment or Winx.
Kermadec and Winx are both currently available at 2015 Cox Plate odds of $7 with Ladbrokes, while Preferment is priced at $15 to record a third win at the highest level of racing.
