Long time favourite Tassort has failed to recover from a hoof injury and has been officially withdrawn from the 2019 Group 1 $3.5m Longines Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill on March 23.
Tassort, above, is out of the 2019 Golden Slipper because of a hoof injury. Photo by Steve Hart.
The James Cummings trained Tassort had been the ruling favourite for the Golden Slipper at Ladbrokes.com.au since winning the $150,000 Golden Gift (1100m) at Rosehill in November on debut and still remained at the top of the betting even after being well beaten when runner up to Time To Reign in the Group 2 $250,000 Chandon S Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill a fortnight ago.
Tassort still ruled the Golden Slipper betting at $6 even though Cummings had notified the Racing New South Wales stewards that the Brazen Beau colt would not run in today’s Group 2 $300,000 UNSW Todman Stakes (1200m) at Randwick after developing a hoof problem.
Cummings was keen to try to get Tassort to the post for the Golden Slipper but this morning informed stewards that the colt has failed to respond to treatment sufficiently and has been sent to the spelling paddock and will miss the rest for the 2019 Sydney Autumn Carnival.
“Since I informed Racing NSW stewards on Monday that Tassort would be a 50/50 chance to run in the Golden Slipper we have monitored the horse closely,” Cummings said.
“He has failed to make the required improvement to be confident that I could prepare him properly for the race. Consequently, I have advised Racing NSW stewards this morning that the colt will be spelled immediately.”
Racing New South Wales also released the following statement verifying Cummings announcement that Tassort would be sent to the paddock.
“Trainer James Cummings has this morning informed Racing NSW Stewards that, following Tassort sustaining bruising to the off-fore foot last week, the colt has not made the necessary improvement to continue with a Golden Slipper preparation and accordingly has been spelled.
“Tassort has been withdrawn from the Golden Slipper and is to be removed from all autumn feature 2yo markets,” the statement read.
The Godolphin royal blue colours will still be very prominent in the Golden Slipper and among their many contenders are the Magic Millions 2yo Classic winner Exhilarates and last start Skyline Stakes winner Microphone who are now the joint $6 favourites at Ladbrokes.com.au.
Early Betting for the 2019 Golden Slipper at Ladbrokes.com.au: $6 Exhilarates, Microphone, $7 Time To Reign, $10 Lyre, $12 Loving Gaby, Yes Yes Yes, $17 Dubious, $21 Anaheed, Born A Warrior, Tenley, Strasbourg, $26 Athiri, Bivouac, Hightail, $31 Cosmic Force, Lankan Star, Vincere Volare, $34 Brooklyn Hustle, Faretti, Heart Breaker, McLaren, Probabeel, Rotator, Spring Loaded, $41 or better the rest.
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