Top Brisbane sprinter Most Important has been sent for a spell and will miss the winter carnival.
Most Important had been back in trainer Tony Gollan’s Eagle Farm stables for two months and was being set for a comeback run in the Group Two Victory Stakes on April 29.
The plan was to then press on to the major sprints during the winter.
Most Important looked one of the few local horses likely to combat the invasion by southern and kiwi horses this winter.
But Gollan hasn’t been happy with his progress and has sent him for a spell.
“It is nothing major but he has a couple of minor issues and it is no use risking him. Against the best horses you have to be at your best,” Gollan said.
“He can have another break and then we will find something for him in the early spring.”
Most Important, who is owned by one of Queensland’s biggest owners, Linda Huddy, lived up to his early potential last campaign after Gollan made the tough decision to geld him.
He picked up a $500,000 bonus when he won the Group Three George Moore Stakes, Listed Lough Neagh Stakes and the Buffering Quality during the summer.
“With the bonus he is now a million dollar horse so we don’t want to risk him,” Gollan said.
The trainer was forced to scratch Casual Choice from the Weetwood Handicap at Saturday’s Toowoomba meeting when he was found to have a slight temperature on race morning.
“It was just enough to need treatment so we scratched him. It is a pity because I thought he might have given it a shake,” Gollan said.
Casual Choice will now start at Doomben on Saturday week.
“That is provided he gets back to normal which I am expecting. I am hoping for a good winter from him,” Gollan said.
