Surgery for an entrapped epiglottis has stopped Isthmus from a Group 1 contest at Flemington but the Anthony and Sam Freedman stable has not given up hope of international travel with the mare.
Isthmus was due to kick-off her autumn preparation in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on Saturday but instead underwent surgery on Monday.
The Freedman-trained mare contested a barrier trial on the Flemington straight over 800m last Friday, finishing fourth behind Traffic Warden in a heat made up of Lightning Stakes contenders.
While the entrapped epiglottis has ruled Isthmus out of the Lightning, plans remain, at this stage, to head to the Group 1 Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville in April and then on a potential trip to Royal Ascot in June.
“The Sangster and Royal Ascot are still a possibility,” Sam Freedman said.
“She had surgery on Monday. It’s gone well and she just needs two or three weeks to come right from that and she’ll be back working along as normal.”
Freedman said Isthmus was likely to be aimed at the Listed ATA/Bob Hoysted Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on March 29 as a lead up to the Sangster four weeks later.
Isthmus is the second mare of owner Jonathan Munz has with the Freedman’s to suffer a set-back.
Right To Party, runner-up in the Group 1 Champions Sprint (1200m) at Flemington during the Melbourne Cup Carnival, was retired last week after suffering a career-ending injury.
“It seems to happen to the good ones, doesn’t it,” Freedman said.
Meanwhile Freedman will be hoping for better luck with Henlein who makes his return in the Group 3 C S Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Henlein has not raced since finishing second to El Castello in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick last October.
“He’s forward enough. He’s done enough work, and he’ll love Flemington,” Freedman said.
