Stephen Theodore’s disappointment at having to scratch Crack A Roadie from Wednesday’s Inglis Premier at Mornington has been eased by the news the colt is still in the mix for the Blue Diamond Stakes.
Theodore withdrew Crack A Roadie, the short-priced favourite for the Inglis Premier (1200m), on race morning when the colt was found to have heat in a fetlock after becoming cast in his box overnight.
Crack A Roadie winning the Inglis Banner at Moonee Valley - photo by Race Horse Photos Australia (Steven Dowden)
Scans have cleared the colt of any injury and Theodore is confident the youngster will be on track by the weekend and ready to return in Saturday week’s $1 million Blue Diamond.
“The negative is having to scratch from today but the positives are it’s a knock and a knock only,” Theodore said.
“After getting cast in his box last night there was just a bit of heat in his fetlock. We’ve had them scanned this morning and the vets have assured me that there’s nothing there to worry about.
“Within a 48 hour period which I’m hoping will be Saturday, the horse will be right to have a gallop.
“If all goes well Craig Williams will come down and give him a searching gallop on Tuesday and we continue on to the Diamond and the Sires.”
Theodore said it was “devastating” for the owners and himself to miss the $250,000 Mornington race which had been the long-range first-up target.
“It looked a very winnable race for us today but as we know in racing there’s ups and downs and we’ll cop it on the chin and move on,” he said.
“Being ready to run 1200 metres today definitely means he’ll be ready to run 1200 metres in ten days.”
Crack A Roadie is on the fifth line of betting at $21 for Saturday week’s Blue Diamond at Caulfield.
The Mornington race was won by Sydney visitor Twilight Royale.
