Surgery for smart Melbourne sprinter

Brad Waters - Tuesday October 3

More than a winning streak ended with smart sprinter Ability's midfield finish in a race at Caulfield on Sunday.

Ability will spend the next four months in a paddock. Photo: Darryl Sherer

A bone chip in a knee also ended the five-year-old's outstanding preparation.

Ability started his campaign with a win in Benchmark 78 company at Moonee Valley in June before progressing to claim two Sandown wins and a victory in the Group III Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) in his next three runs.

Ability's trainer Robert Smerdon said the son of Reward For Effort would miss the Melbourne and Sydney autumn carnivals but could make an interstate appearance late in the season.

"He's chipped the same knee so he was back up for surgery yesterday," Smerdon said.

"It's surgery then four months in the paddock and he'll be able to go back into work in February.

"By coming back into work in February, the Brisbane carnival or Adelaide look the most likely for him."

While Ability has run his last race for 2017, Smerdon will have some thinking to do once the fields for Saturday's Melbourne and Sydney meetings are released on Wednesday.

Smerdon said he would accept with handy mare Lovani in both the Listed Paris Lane Stakes (1400m) at Flemington and the Group II Angst Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.

Smerdon also entered Lovani for the Group II Blazer Stakes (1400m) at Flemington but said he would take the easier option with the Group II Let's Elope Stakes (1400m) third placegetter if she ran in Melbourne.

"I'm going to declare in both states and then decide the way to go," Smerdon said.

"I'll probably declare in the Listed race here and not the mares' race and we'll see how it stands up and what she draws.

"It's easier to stay and play at home but if it looks like she'd be in the mix in Sydney, I'd be happy to go there."

Smerdon is likely to decide his plans by Thursday afternoon.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Knights Choice a True Underdog Story
Punters were left stunned when the Queenslander Knight's Choice and Japanese visitor Warp Speed (JPN) emerged from the pack to fight out a dramatic finish to the $8,560,000 Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.
2024 Melbourne Cup Result - It's Knights Choice
The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice, a five-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice victorious.
$6million Frankel Mare Tops Fasig -Tipton November Sale
The Fasig-Tipton November Sale, billed as the World’s Premier Breeding Stock Event, was held Monday at the company’s Newtown Paddocks in Lexington, Kentucky. Twenty-five offerings sold for $1,000,000 or more, led by a trio of Grade/Group 1 winners with international appeal.
Kiwi Bred Gringotts Wins $3million Big Dance
Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts(NZ) (Per Incanto) delivered a big payday for his connections with victory in Tuesday’s A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.
Rosemont and Partners Stakes Quinella on Cup Day
Written Tycoon posted his second new stakes-winner on Melbourne Cup Day when promising three year-old gelding Catoggio took out the Listed VRC Amanda Elliot Stakes (1400m)  for Rosemont Stud and partners, who also race the second horse Bosustow.
More Stakes Success for Air Assault
Group I placed last season in the SA Derby, talented gelding Air Assault kept the winning run going for Victoria Derby winning trainer Andrew Gluyas when taking out the Listed SAJC John Letts Cup (1800m) at Morphettville on Melbourne Cup Day.
All Too Hard's Arran Bay Brave in the Furphy Plate
Phillip Stokes admitted his preference was to run Arran Bay in the Listed John Letts Cup at Morphettville but was overruled by the owners, who made the correct decision in favouring the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) at Flemington.
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.
El Vencedor wins G3 Balmerino Stakes
El Vencedor is making a habit of picking up major victories at Ellerslie, adding the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) to his burgeoning record at Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup Day meeting.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday November 5
Here is the full list of 145 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.