Gai Waterhouse’s Sydney Cup winner The Offer has recovered from a mystery lameness and will take his place in the Group 1 $3m Crown Golden Ale Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
The Offer will take his place in the Caulfield Cup field after being passed fit to run by the Racing Victoria vet. Photo by Steve Hart.
Waterhouse had informed Racing Victoria stewards on Thursday that she had detected some lameness in The Offer and a veterinary inspection was immediately organized for today.
But Racing Victoria vet Dr Brian Stewart ran the ruler over The Offer at Waterhouse’s Flemington base and could find no problems and passed him fit to run on Saturday but will give the Montjeu six year old another once over on race morning.
“He is good to go, it was an unexplained lameness, that will happen from time to time, it could be a bit of arthritis flaring up or something else, you can see it from time to time,” Dr Stewart told TVN.
“He is back to normal this morning, we did a thorough examination and can’t find any sign of any issues, we have ticked him off and he is okay.
“Gai called Terry Bailey yesterday to say he was not 100 per cent in her estimation, they had their farrier and their vet look at him, this morning he is pretty much back to normal, that will happen time to time.”
Jockey Tommy Berry will be glad to hear the good news that The Offer was given the green light and will be hoping the good luck continues and helps him navigate a suitable course from barrier sixteen.
The Offer rounded off his Caulfield Cup preparation with a resounding gallop at Flemington on Tuesday morning, running 1.48.93 from the 1600m and clocking 24.78 secs for the final 400m.
The Irish import wrapped up a Sydney Autumn Carnival hat trick of wins with a victory in the Group 1 $1m Schweppes Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick on April 19 but has been unplaced at three runs during the Spring Carnival.
He opened his campaign with a fifth to The Cleaner in the Group 2 $250,000 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on September 6 followed by a ninth to Foreteller in the Group 1 $400,000 Hyland Race Colours Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on September 20.
Then at his latest start The Offer was always well back in the field and was beaten just over four lengths when sixth to Lucia Valentina in the Group 1 $500,000 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 4.
In the Caulfield Cup market order with Ladbrokes.com.au, The Offer is marked as a $26 chance while Lucia Valentina is a clear cut favourite at $3.80 following the scratchings of Bande, Dandino and Gris Caro because of leg and hoof injuries.
Japanese stayer Admire Rakti is the second pick at $9.50 ahead of the Peter Moody pair of Brambles and Lidari, both at $10 while Junoob is the shortest priced runner of Chris Waller’s four starters at $12, just ahead of the Australian Oaks winner Rising Romance at $14.
