「龐貝尊主」舊患復發，唔會角逐餘下賽事
Grand galloper Pompeii Ruler is injured and will miss the rest of the spring, leaving trainer Mick Price with just one live Tatts Cox Plate (2040m) contender.
The six-year-old, which returned from a 12 month injury enforced layoff in August, is believed to have aggravated his old tendon injury. Price and connections are awaiting the final veterinary report.
Despite not winning, Pompeii Ruler had come back to racing in fine form with a couple of placings behind champion galloper Weekend Hussler before his close second in last Saturday’s Yalumba Stakes (2000m) behind Douro Valley.
It was a performance which had jockey Craig Newitt confident the horse was right on track for the Cox Plate, a race in which he finished a close third two seasons ago.
Pompeii Ruler’s injury is the second major spring blow for Price. One-time Cox Plate favourite Light Fantastic lost form after his first-up win the J.J. Liston Stakes at Caulfield and will now be kept for shorter races later in the spring.
His Cox Plate hopes now rest with last Saturday’s impressive David Jones Toorak Handicap (1600m) winner Alamosa.
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