Group One-winning mare Once Were Wild is out of the Melbourne spring after returning to Sydney to have a throat operation.
The five-year-old stayer was being prepared for the Melbourne Cup but her campaign ended when she finished 14th in last Saturday’s Group Three Naturalism Stakes at Caulfield.
“She had to have a throat operation,” trainer Gai Waterhouse said.
“Damien Oliver made a comment that she made a noise on Saturday and she had to come home and have a throat operation. She’s out for the spring and will be back for the autumn.
“It wasn’t a major thing but it was enough to stop her.”
Once Were Wild has won seven of her 21 starts including the 2010 Group One AJC Australian Oaks.
AAP TURF