Trainer Alex Rae has ended Shock ‘Em Ova’s spring campaign, withdrawing him from the upcoming Group 2 Zipping Classic at Caulfield.
Rae explained the decision, citing a minor inflammation in the horse’s fetlock following a Tuesday morning gallop.
Emphasising the need for the horse to be at peak condition for weight-for-age (WFA) racing, Rae has opted for caution, given Shock ‘Em Ova’s potential for future success.
The horse will now take a break.
Shock ‘Em Ova’s last race of the season was an impressive performance in the $750,000 Rosehill Cup, where he showcased his talent by finishing strongly despite it being his first race in the clockwise direction.
Rae praised his performance, noting that with a bit more luck, the result could have been even better.
In related news, Enna’s Dream, another of Rae’s trainees, is also going on a spell.
The filly, a daughter of Winning Rupert, finished 11th in the G1 Thousand Guineas.
Despite the challenging circumstances of a six-week gap between races and facing strong competition, Rae remains optimistic about her future.
Plans are to bring her back later in the autumn to early winter next year, starting with lower-rated races and potentially moving up if she performs well.
Rae sees these developments as part of the learning and growth process in racing.
