Further tests called for Illation

Illation is set to undergo further tests as trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr try to get to the bottom of his disappointing run in the Memsie Stakes.

Unbeaten in his first three starts, Illation was a drifter in the betting before finishing last in the Group 1 1400m contest on Saturday.

Price had been bullish about the four-year-old’s claims in the lead-up to the Memsie Stakes after Illation had worked with stablemate, and eventual Memsie Stakes runner-up I’m Thunderstruck, throughout the preparation.

But Illation flopped on Saturday, finishing at the tail of field, almost 10 lengths behind winner Snapdancer in a run that mystified rider Jamie Kah.

“Extremely disappointing,” Kah said on Saturday.

“He did a lot wrong. He laid in, he laid out. I’ll let the team have a look over him. He wasn’t the same horse that he’s been.”

Price said Illation was set to undergo a ‘Dynamic Scope’ under gallop on Thursday to determine if there is any underlying issue with the entire.

“A dynamic scope is you tape a camera into the throat and from the pack it wirelessly relays back to the computer,” Price said.

“We can study frame by frame, in slow-mo, what is happening with the throat and it’s the best test that you will get.”

While Illation is set to have tests, Price said I’m Thunderstruck had pulled-up in great order from his return run and would head to the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday week.

Ridden by Mark Zahra, I’m Thunderstruck settled back in the field before rattling home for second berth, beaten a half-length by Snapdancer.

“Zahra said he looked up and thought he was too far out of my ground,” Price said.

“But he got home great and has come out of the race well.”