Star stayer Without A Trace will miss the Fanta Bale series and be sidelined for at least a month due to a wrist injury.
She ran 3rd in Saturday night’s Group 1 Sportsbet Zoom Top at The Meadows, finishing behind Magpie Hector and Fade To Black.
“It’s something we’ve been nursing for her past few runs, but it’s just gotten to a point where a month to six weeks off is best for her. At the moment we’re aiming for the Association Cup (at Wentworth Park in April),” said trainer Peter Presutto.
Considering her issue, her effort was impressive. Her run home time was the fastest of the field – click here for the night’s Race Data.
Despite the injury, she still produced the fastest run‑home of the field – a performance that only strengthened Presutto’s belief in her ability.
“We obviously already had a very high opinion of her, but that’s probably been heightened after Saturday night given the issue she had. She’s a champion.”
In a night that didn’t go to plan for the Presutto camp, they also had Off The Chart and On The Prowl unplaced in their respective Sportsbet Australian Cup heats.
Off The Chart found the front in his heat, but again faded away late in the race.
“He should be a reserve in a semi-final, if he gets a run he’ll race, but our aim is now the Ballarat Cup (in early March).”
“He’s got an issue with cramping and the late race (Race 12) on Saturday didn’t help. We’re doing our best to counter it but it’s not improving at the moment.”
“We’ll take him to Ballarat for the Cup, then Shepparton which will suit him. Those types of races may just well be his limit, but we’ll continue to work on it.”
As for On The Prowl, a slow start proved costly as he finished 7th as favourite.
“We’re going to prepare him for the Launching Pad.”
“I feel he’s the Mark Waugh of our kennel, he’s a quiet achiever and somewhat forgotten amongst the ones we’ve got at the moment.”
He won’t be the only one heading to the Launching Pad for the Presutto team. Simply Stunning will join him who they think is better than On The Prowl, as will Tripped Out who trialled 29.30 (5.03, 18.85) in his first look at Sandown Park recently.
Fields for this Saturday night’s meeting at The Meadows, Week 2 of the Sportsbet Australian Cup Carnival, will be out on Wednesday afternoon. Off-track the night is highlighted by ICONIC family entertainment.
