Carl Spackler, the US Grade 1-winning import, will not be contesting this year’s Cox Plate.
It was confirmed on Tuesday that owner Yulong is electing to keep the talented galloper in Europe for the remainder of the season.
Yulong chief operating officer Sam Fairgray said that while the horse was rated a $15 chance for the Cox Plate, the team believes his long-term development will be better served abroad.
After capturing the G1 Maker’s Mark Mile (1600m) at Keeneland in April, Carl Spackler was purchased and transferred to Australian trainer Ciaron Maher. However, he has struggled to recapture that winning form under new management.
The four-year-old finished sixth in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes (1600m) at Royal Ascot and again finished sixth—this time in a field of seven—in the G1 Sussex Stakes (1600m) at Goodwood last week.
“He pulled up OK, but I think at this stage we’ll probably leave him in Europe,” Fairgray told RSN927. “There were plans for him to come down for the Cox Plate, but I think we’ll leave him there, let him acclimatise a bit, and see if we can just get him back on track.”
Despite Carl Spackler’s withdrawal, Yulong still holds a strong hand heading into the Cox Plate. Defending champion Via Sistina remains the $2.50 favourite, while stablemate Treasurethe Moment is also well-fancied at $8 for the October feature at Moonee Valley.
