Melbourne Cup-winning trainer John Symons has no choice but to cling to a “fairytale” and “history” as Knight’s Choice’s spring campaign “hanging by a thread”.
Knight’s Choice is among horses, including 15 trained by Symons and Sheila Laxon, in quarantine at Macedon Lodge after a mystery illness swept the private training centre.
Symons reported the issue to Racing Victoria straight away last week after Knight’s Choice and other horses presented with a high temperature and nasal discharge.
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RV has booked secondary tests on Monday, to compare blood pictures, after initial diagnostics returned “inconclusive” results.
Symons cannot plan with any certainty beyond next week and potential restrictions.
RV has declared Macedon Lodge an “infected place” as a precaution to protect the industry and wider horse population.
“We’re only hanging in by a thread, at the moment, I imagine,” Symons lamented.
“That’s being realistic and it’s really disappointing … it depends on what the tests come back.
“I said to the owners have some heart, I looked up and saw Peter Pan won it (Cup) in 1932, he had a virus in ‘33 and couldn’t race, and then he won it again in ’34.
“Sometimes history repeats, doesn’t it?”
Reigning Melbourne Cup winner Knight’s Choice remains in lockdown at Macedon Lodge. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images
Knight’s Choice completed a fairytale Melbourne Cup last year as a 100-1 outsider.
Symons, ironically, rated Knight’s Choice in better shape condition wise, prior to the illness, than the same time last year.
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“We felt he was right on track and unfortunately and we might not get to see it … hopefully we will,” Symons said.
Knight’s Choice has been isolated in a paddock away from other horses on the property, with plans to hopefully gallop the Cup winner early next week.
“None of them are really sick, they’re just not well,” Symons said.
“Some have got a fair bit of discharge from their nose, Knight’s Choice had a little bit but not excessive.
“He was looking quite bright yesterday (Wednesday) … we’ll give him the weekend and put a saddle on a see.
“He’s a bit like me, a bit of a sook, so he’ll tell us if he’s right or wrong.”
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Cup winner remains in lockdown at ‘infected’ Macedon Lodge
Racing Victoria has extended a lockdown on horses currently at Macedon Lodge, including Melbourne Cup winner Knight’s Choice, pending further blood tests next week.
The private training centre has been declared an “infected place” as a precaution after initial testing for potentially infectious conditions returned “inconclusive” results.
John Symons and Sheila Laxon-trained Knight’s Choice was among several at Macedon Lodge last week to present with an elevated temperature.
The co-trainers reported the issue to RV stewards immediately last Friday, with Knight’s Choice subsequently scratched from the Group 1 Underwood Stakes.
RV on Wednesday confirmed the “inconclusive results” and next steps.
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“Following discussions today (Wednesday) between the Stewards, equine disease experts, RV veterinarians and the stable veterinarians, it has been determined that further samples will be collected early next week in the hope of obtaining more conclusive test results,” RV said in a statement.
“Stewards, acting with an abundance of caution and in the broader interests of the industry, have declared Macedon Lodge an “infected place” pursuant to Australian Rule of Racing 89(4) thus requiring all horses to continue to remain at the property.
“The results of next week’s tests will help determine when horse movement from/to the training property may resume.
“Until then, Mr Symons and Ms Laxon’s horses remain under the watchful eye of stable veterinarians, as do those of trainer Liam Howley which are spelling on site also.”
RV has elected to wait until next week, based on the expert advice, for the second round of testing to get a better blood picture for comparison and diagnostic purposes.
Knight’s Choice returned a slightly elevated temperature last week but bounced back relatively quickly.
The setback and subsequent lockdown has spring ambitions and a potential Cup defence in limbo.
Macedon Lodge management has continued to cooperate fully with RV on biosecurity protocols.