The spring racing season for Golden Slipper winner Guest House has concluded prematurely after the colt sustained a hamstring injury during routine trackwork.
Trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, the galloper was considered a strong candidate for a start in The Everest before the unfortunate injury struck following his gallop at Rosehill on Saturday morning.
Mick Price officially communicated the injury to Racing Victoria Stewards at Flemington on Saturday, stating that Guest House would now commence a three-month spell.
“He worked this morning and they weren’t happy with his action,” Price commented. “They had a look at the near-side hind and the ultrasound showed there was some disruption in the fibres of the ligaments attached to the hamstring.”
“We’ll get a second opinion, but we don’t doubt the first opinion will be correct. It’s basically three months rest up and then get him ready for the autumn. He’s basically done a hammy, but we’ll get him back.”
Guest House clinched the Golden Slipper title in the autumn and made a triumphant return by taking out the San Domenico Stakes (1100m) first-up at Rosehill in August.
The colt was sent out as the favourite for the Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill the following Saturday but finished sixth after encountering an interrupted run.
Price had previously identified The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 17 and the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on October 31 as key spring targets for Guest House.