Last year's Orange Cup victor Micalong has succumbed to a foot abscess and will not take part at Rosehill this weekend much to the disappointment of Canberra based trained Mick Miladinovic.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Slowly coming to hand this time in the son of Zariz was back just shy of his career best when finishing second behind Photon Willie at Rosehill last start.
Recording a Timeform figure of 87 the now seven-year-old was just two pounds shy of his career peak achieved when saluting in the Orange Cup last year.
"He's unfortunately got a foot abscess and we're going to put him out for a couple of weeks and let him get over it," Miladinovic said.
"Last Thursday we gave him a three-quarter and come back Friday morning and he was lame, so it was very disappointing."
Having proven himself over the middle distances Micalong notched up his first win short of the mile this preparation when saluting fresh at Canberra over 1280m.
While appearing to be over his recent battle with foot abscesses Miladinovic was also confident he had turned the corner.
"It's a real shame because just when we thought we had him right he's succumb to the abscesses again, he's got very soft feet," Miladinovic said.
"We've been battling with his feet and abscesses for the last six months, that's why he had been underperforming."
Having competed in a number of Country cups throughout his career Miladinovic will now look to target him towards the Canberra Cup when he makes his return from the injury.
"Now we've had to put him out again we might bring him back and aim him up towards the Canberra Cup," Miladinovic said.
"Personally I think the mile is his best trip but we'll see.
"We'll give him two or three weeks in the paddock and then it shouldn't take long to get him back and ready to go."
Accepted to line up in the second race at Randwick this weekend, Micalong appeared a good each way chance down in the weights and was in line to notch up his first metropolitan victory of his career.
The Chris Waller trained Photon Willie currently heads the market ahead of last start winners The Gallows and Masahiko.
