All-Star Mile winner Mugatoo has sustained a tendon injury which will rule him out of the spring carnival.
The horse was one of the top fancies for last Saturday’s Group One Doomben Cup but he struggled to quicken when the race heated up on the corner and was eased down by Hugh Bowman in the straight.
Subsequent tests have revealed a tendon injury which will require rest and rehabilitation.
“He’s got a little issue with his tendon so he’s going to be out for the spring, unfortunately,” trainer Kris Lees confirmed on Thursday.
Lees said it was too early to tell how long Mugatoo would be sidelined with further tests scheduled for next month expected to reveal the severity of the problem.
The Australian Bloodstock import was an outstanding fourth from a wide gate in the Cox Plate last spring and after returning to win the All-Star Mile, he performed gallantly in the Doncaster Mile and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Lees is hoping the stable’s fortunes take a turn for the better with two black-type runners at Eagle Farm on Saturday, headed by last-start Inglis Guineas winner Midland, who will clash with boom three-year-old Ayrton in the Group 3 Fred Best Classic (1400m) at Eagle Farm.
Lees said Midland had arrived in Queensland in good order, but he was wary of the unbeaten Victorian.
“You have to be. He looks a smart horse,” Lees said.
“It’s a very competitive race but I think my bloke will run well.
“He’s done really well since his last win and he keeps improving each outing.”
Aliferous will line up in the Group 3 Lord Mayor’s Cup (1800m) after finishing runner-up to Polly Grey at Gosford earlier this month and Lees expects her to run another honest race.
“She is a really consistent mare. She hasn’t won for a while, but she rarely runs a bad race either,” he said.
Mugatoo was high up in Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate markets will miss the spring with connections to set the horse for the Autumn next year as long as the horses recovery goes to plan.
