Tests later this week will decide the future of dual Group One winner Rangirangdoo.
Rangirangdoo snatched a thrilling George Ryder Stakes win at Rosehill on Saturday but celebrations were cut short when he hobbled back to the winning enclosure.
A Chris Waller stable favourite, Rangirangdoo has battled leg issues since winning last year’s Doncaster Mile.
“When he came back (to scale) I was quite concerned for him but some ice and anti-inflammatories overnight have helped,” Waller said.
“I don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves but it doesn’t look like he’s gone by the wayside.”
Waller had already ruled out a Doncaster Mile defence for Rangirangdoo before Saturday’s courageous win.
“Had this problem not been here I was looking at the All-Aged, the Hollindale Cup and then the Doomben Cup,” Waller said.
“But now I’ll have to weigh up our options. If we could get him back for the spring, I would put him out for a spell now.
“Certainly, I’ll know a lot more by the end of the week.
“I don’t think his racing days are over although it was looking that way yesterday afternoon.
“He’s a very special horse to us and the last thing we want to do is harm him.”
Waller will still have an impressive Doncaster hand despite losing Rangirangdoo.
George Ryder placegetter Triple Elegance and established Group One star Danleigh will spearhead his team.
Jim Cassidy has asked to ride Triple Elegance a half kilogram overweight in the Doncaster but Waller is adamant the $8 second favourite will carry no more than his allotted 51kg.
“I might have to go to the gym with him (Cassidy) to make sure he gets down the weight,” Waller said.
“Jimmy says he wants to ride him a half kilo over but I’m going to be firm that he rides him at the 51.”
Waller says the George Ryder is an obvious form race for the Doncaster but he has almost conceded the famous mile to glamour mare More Joyous.
“There’s no better form than the George Ryder,” he said.
“I’m just hoping the pressure of a Doncaster might bring her (More Joyous) undone but realistically she has to have an off day for us to beat her.”
More Joyous stifles betting for the $2 million Doncaster Mile at Randwick on April 16 with TAB Sportsbet firming her quote to $2 since her Queen Of The Turf Stakes win on Saturday.
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