Co-trainer Tom Dabernig has revealed that Spillway has recovered well from a minor leg injury and remains a chance of having a 2015 Spring Racing Carnival campaign.
Spillway held-off stablemate Extra Zero to take out a thrilling edition of the 2015 Australian Cup. Photo by: Adrienne Bicknell
Dabernig announced at the start of the month that Spillway could be saved for an autumn campaign due to a minor leg problem, but he told Racing Ahead this morning that the Australian Cup winner had responded well to his return to light work and at this stage will likely be given the chance to compete at the highest level of racing during his spring preparation.
“He is under saddle and the leg looks really good,” Dabernig said.
“He is coping with the workload, but his work hasn’t been stepped up yet.
“Dave McKellar our resident vet is very happy with him and he doesn’t a lot of water walking and swimming.
“He looks magnificent.”
Another Lindsay Park-trained galloper that is set to return to racing during the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival is imported stayer Stipulate, who has not been seen at the races since he finished tenth in The Momentum Energy Trophy (1800m) at Flemington on May 9.
Stipulate stamped himself as a horse to follow when he took out the Listed Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock Stakes (1700m) at Caulfield on August 30 and was competitive in races like the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 4, but he has been unable to replicate that sort of form since and he produced disappointing efforts in both the Listed Yalumba Golden Mile (1600m) at Bendigo on March 21 and the Peter Armytage Handicap (1700m) at Flemington on April 25.
Dabernig said that Stipulate was given a lengthy stint in the spelling paddock following his flat autumn campaign and the rising trainer is hopeful that the son of Dansili will be able to return to his best form during the spring.
“He was a little bit disappointing through the autumn, but he has had a good break out in the paddock and he is carrying good condition,” Dabernig said.
“He is in light work at the moment, but he is a bit behind the others because we tipped him out and gave him a good break.
“He is under saddle, but only in the early stages. “
Spillway is likely to be included in the nominations for both the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) and the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) and he is currently available at Caulfield Cup odds of $26 and Cox Plate odds of $41 with Ladbrokes.
