Champion mare Aeliana is still on course for a major spring campaign, despite a barrier trial incident that has brought the Memsie Stakes further into consideration for her initial race.
The multiple Group 1 winner got caught behind the barriers before the opening heat at Warwick Farm on Tuesday, trapping a hind leg in the starting stalls and forcing her withdrawal.
Trainer Chris Waller indicated that the early signs are encouraging, with the mare receiving intensive treatment while the stable monitors her progress over the coming days.
“Minimal swelling and she’s sound,” Waller said. “We, of course, gave her anti-inflammatories after it so that’s masking a little bit of swelling, and masking a little bit of pain. I’d say by Friday we’ll be able to say we’re in the clear. You just never know what bruising could be there, but every sign you can see so far is fantastic.”
Aeliana is currently undergoing anti-inflammatory treatment and ice hosing four times a day, and Waller remains optimistic that no lasting damage has occurred.
She will miss this week’s Rosehill barrier trials but is expected to trial at Randwick next Friday, after which a decision on her return will be made.
The mare had been heavily expected to resume in the Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on August 22, but Waller stated that the additional week before the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield has significantly changed the situation.
“Where it would have been eighty-twenty before, it’s probably fifty-fifty now,” he commented. “We’re very confident we’ll still be on track.”
Aeliana is set to be one of the main attractions of the upcoming spring carnival and is already prominent in early markets for the Caulfield Cup, Melbourne Cup, and Cox Plate. Compare the latest spring carnival markets with Australia’s leading Top 10 Betting Apps.