Trainer Chris Waller has revealed that talented three-year-old Omei Sword will be scratched from the 2017 Eskimo Prince Stakes field after suffering a minor muscle ailment.
Omei Sword has been scratched from the Eskimo Prince Stakes field. Photo: Steve Hart
Omei Sword more than announced herself to the Australian racing community in 2016 and is considered a leading chance for some of the 2017 Autumn Carnival’s showpiece races, including the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m).
Waller revealed on his website that the daughter of High Chaparral is suffering from a minor muscle issue, but he remains hopeful she will return to the track competitively in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday week.
“Omei Sword will shortly be withdrawn from tomorrow’s Eskimo Prince at Randwick,” Waller wrote.
“She has a slight muscle issue that our physio is working on and we are hoping to have her right for next Saturday’s Light Finger Stakes and that will be dependent upon her galloping next Tuesday morning.”
Omei Sword debuted to racing for a smart win in the Peter Svendsen Maiden (1100m) at Rosehill last February, before making a successful transition to black type company when second behind Calliope in the Group 2 Magic Night Stakes (1200m).
Having been returned to the paddock after she failed to fire and ninth in the Group 1 ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), Omei Sword stormed home to win the Group 2 Furious Stakes (1200m) in spring and has not been seen at the races since running second to Astern in the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) on September 10th.
Omei Sword was a clear favourite in Eskimo Prince Stakes betting markets at Ladbrokes prior to her withdrawal and classy Godolphin colt Bezel is now considered the race favourite.
