Group One-winning filly Travelling Light (NZ) (El Roca) has gone to the paddock following her runner-up performance in the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) at Te Rapa on Saturday after pulling up shin sore.
The Ben Foote-trained three-year-old was sent out a well-backed $1.50 favourite but was no match for Two Illicit, who has rocketed into favouritism for the Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) on February 29.
“She is feeling her shins,” Foote said.
“She has already gone out to the paddock this morning and I will check her in a week. She may go to the water walker for a week and we can possibly look at Sydney in the middle of March.”
Foote said he couldn’t get a guide as to whether Travelling Light stayed the solidly run 2000m journey given the post-race findings.
“I don’t think we can take anything out of the race. She was alright until Sam (Collett, jockey) went to let her head go and she just didn’t let down at all.
“Sam said there is definitely something not right and on Sunday morning she was feeling her shins.”
Foote said there were a number of options open to Travelling Light, with the Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m) heroine likely to be nominated for the Gr.1 Randwick Guineas (1600m), the Gr.1 Coolmore Classic (1600m), the Gr.1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) and the Gr.1 Coolmore Legacy (1500m).
“I definitely think she will stay but there are better races around the mile mark. But we can possibly look at the Queensland Oaks (Gr.1, 2400m) further down the track. There are plenty of options and we will just monitor her over the next few weeks.”
