Trainer John Symons concedes it will take a “miracle” for last year’s Melbourne Cup hero Knight’s Choice to make it to this year’s race.
The star stayer is one of 15 horses trained by Symons and Sheila Laxon that are locked down at Macedon Lodge as Racing Victoria works to identify a mystery illness that has swept through the property.
On Wednesday, Betsy revealed that stewards declared Macedon Lodge an “infected place” under the rules of racing, preventing horses from leaving the property.
Symons said a decision on whether Knight’s Choice, who returned to the track earlier this month with a head-turning performance in the So You Think Stakes at The Valley, continues on a path to the Melbourne Cup will be made before Tuesday’s first acceptance deadline.
“We might need to work a miracle,” Symons told Radio TAB on Thursday.
“It’s frustrating and we’re not quite sure what is going to happen.”
“We didn’t accept up for the Caulfield Cup and we’re going to have to make that decision (Melbourne Cup) between now and next Tuesday.”
“He’ll have to tell us how he’s feeling and obviously we’ve got to wait for these test results as well.”
“I suppose there is an outside chance because we are here in Macedon and the facilities we’ve got here to work these staying horses is exceptional.”
Symons revealed that Knight’s Choice has largely recovered from his symptoms, which included temperature spikes and loss of appetite. He said other horses on the property had nasal discharge, which is a common symptom of a regulation virus.
Results from blood samples taken from the Cup winner and other horses at Macedon Lodge are expected from Thursday.
“He (Knight’s Choice) was good until Friday morning then he spiked the temperature,” he said.
“He just went off his feed but he’s back eating now and the good news is that his temperature is back down so he seems good.”
“I wouldn’t say he’s fine but he’s better than he was.”
“It’s not a life-threatening situation but the horses have just been sick.”
“They (RV) have got some experts in. They’ve had nasal swab tests and the bloods are waiting to be tested.”
“Obviously it’s a virus but we really don’t know what it could be.”
