Trainer Robbie Laing will have to revert to Plan C if he is forced to scratch Polanski again in the Group 3 $150,000 C S Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Polanski is unlikely runner in C S Hayes Stakes. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
Polanski was due to kick off his Autumn Carnival campaign last week at Caulfield in the Group 2 $220,000 Hyland Race Colours Autumn Stakes (1400m) but was a race morning late scratching after developing a nasty case of ring worm.
Laing wasn’t too concerned and anticipated that the Victoria Derby winner would recover in time to race this weekend and have a lead up run into the Group 1 $500,000 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington in two weeks.
But the skin problem is proving tough to eradicate and Laing thinks that Polanski will struggle to get to Flemington this week and he will have to cancel Plan B.
“I took his rug off about 10 minutes ago (8am) and his skin is still looking very ordinary – he’s most unlikely to run tomorrow,” Laing told TVN this morning.
If Polanski is withdrawn from the C S Hayes Stakes, the Cranbourne trainer will have two weeks to get the three year old right for a first up tilt at the Australian Guineas.
“I have no fear at all in going to the Australian Guineas first-up, none at all,” Laing said.
“The horse is ready to go – he’s fit now.
“I’m just glad we’re having these issues at the start of his prep, not a week before the Australian Derby.”
After the Australian Guineas Laing will follow a path that will lead towards the Group 1 $2m BMW Australian Derby (2400m) on April 12, the first day of the new revamped ‘The Championships’ at Randwick.
Polanski emerged as one of the stars of the Melbourne Spring Carnival and began his winnng run in the Listed $120,000 UCI Stakes (1800m) at Flemington on October 5 followed by a win in the Group 3 $150,000 Jacob Park Thoroughbreds Norman Robinson Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on October 19.
The Rakti colt then went on to win the Group 1 $1.5m AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on November 2 and earned himself a summer break.
Polanski is currently marked at $7.50 for the C S Hayes Stakes in the Ladbrokes.com.au market order which has the Adelaide three year old Hucklebuck the $3.60 favourite ahead of the Quarterback at $4.60 and Prince Harada at $6.
While in Australian Derby betting, Polanski leads the way at $3.50 ahead of Autumn Stakes winner Thunder Fantasy at $6.50 and highly rated New Zealand three year old Show The World at $7.50.
