Trainer Kelly Schweida has pulled the plug on the Melbourne campaign of star sprinter Better Than Ready.
The Queenslander was to have run in the Group One Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield on Saturday after finishing fourth in the Rubiton Stakes two weeks ago.
However, Better Than Ready will now return home to Brisbane on Wednesday after a report from his farriers in Melbourne.
“He pulled a shoe off, and a bit of hoof, earlier this preparation. They (farriers) suggested we use glue-on shoes on Saturday,” Schweida said.
“I don’t think horses race well in glue-on shoes, let alone in Group One races. It is better he comes home.”
Schweida is unsure when Better Than Ready will have his next start but hopes to aim him at Queensland’s major winter carnival races including the BTC Cup, Doomben 10,000 and Stradbroke Handicap.
“But until I get home and have a good look at him I can’t say what he will be doing,” Schweida said.
Better Than Ready missed the Melbourne spring after being injured in a trackwork gallop.
Meanwhile, studmaster Basil Nolan said he had been touched by the number of people expressing condolences over the loss of his sire Captain Sonador.
Nolan said Captain Sonador was euthanased after rearing and injuring himself in an exercise yard on Monday.
He said he had been inundated with people expressing their sorrow at the loss of Captain Sonador who stood three seasons at Nolan’s Raheen Stud.
Captain Sonador (2010) and Kinjite (1992) are the only two Queensland-trained horses to win Sydney’s Epsom Handicap since World War II.
Queensland’s new chief steward is now expected to be announced on Thursday after Racing Queensland officials put the final touches to his contract.
