Trainer Matthew Williams is hoping the results of a lung wash will shed some light on the disappointing performance of Harbour Views at Caulfield.
Harbour Views was sent out the $2.05 favourite on Saturday, but finished fourth behind Mirimar over 2000m.
Racing Victoria stewards reported Harbour Views lame in the left fore-leg following Saturday’s race, however Williams was not using that as an excuse.
Williams said Harbour Views was bright on Sunday morning with no associated heat in any of his joints.
“He seems to be trotting up to me as he normally would so I’m not making any excuses from a soundness point of view,” Williams said.
“He’s getting a lung wash done and I’m more suspicious in that area.”
Williams said he does not expect the results of that test to be available until Wednesday.
After a solid first-up run on heavy ground at Sandown, Harbour Views finished third at Morphettville last month after which Williams discovered mucus in the gelding’s throat.
That cleared before Harbour Views raced to an easy win at The Valley on June 13 and he was expected to add to that score on Saturday.
Williams said Harbour Views will have a quiet two or three weeks on the water walker and at the Warrnambool beaches before undertaking any galloping.
The trainer is planning to run Harbour Views in the Feehan Stakes at The Valley in September.
Success in that race gains the winner an automatic start in the Cox Plate the following month.
“If he has had some sort of respiratory issue that will give it time to settle down and we can start out fresh with him again,” Williams said.
