Ortensia will be aimed at one of the major sprint races in Melbourne after a virus forced connections to abort plans for a New Zealand campaign.
Trainer Paul Messara had outlined hopes to plunder the Group One double of the Railway Stakes at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day and Telegraph Handicap at Trentham on January 21.
But he confirmed on Wednesday those plans had been shelved.
“She’s had a minor setback but it is more a timing issue than the setback itself,” Messara said.
“We couldn’t work her when we wanted to and she needed to have a strong gallop this week.
“That didn’t lead in to having her fit and ready to go so we’ve pulled the pin.”
Messara believes Ortensia may have picked up the virus on the trip back from Perth where she landed her first Group One win in the Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot last month.
He said revised plans for the mare involved targeting one of the main sprint races in Melbourne early next year.
“Plan B is probably to head towards one of the big races down in Melbourne,” Messara said.
“One that Black Caviar isn’t in.”
AAP TURF
