Plans to send crack English sprinter Lethal Force to Australia for the spring carnival have been scrapped.
Photo by Racing and Sports
The winner of the G1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot and G1 July Cup at Newmarket in record time was in line for huge Global Sprint Challenge bonus if he travelled to Melbourne for the G1 Patinack Farm Classic at Flemington on November 9.
Trainer Clive Cox suggested after his July Cup victory that an Australian mission was under serious consideration but connections had a rethink after Lethal Force was beaten by champion mare Moonlight Cloud in the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville in France at his latest start.
"We were very grateful for the invitation but after lots of consideration, we have decided going to Australia looks a very difficult trip for the horse to encounter," Cox said.
"The horse is having a break after his run at Deauville. I'm keeping an open mind about where he'll go from here."
While a trip to Australia may be out there is still a chance Lethal Force will go the US for the Breeders' Cup Sprint at Santa Anita in November.
"We are very confident he is one of the best sprinters around and if he is still in the same form as he has been in this summer we would have to consider the Breeders' Cup," said Cox.
Last year's Melbourne Cup third Jakkalberry has succumbed to injury and will also miss a return trip to Australia this spring.
A scan of his injured tendon showed signs of deterioration with trainer Marco Botti revealing the eight-year-old will be aimed at the 2014 Dubai World Cup carnival if he makes a good recovery.
