By Michael Guerin
Cronus' Queensland campaign was in jeopardy last night after the gelding was galloped on in the Labour Day Cup at Doomben.
The former Adelaide Cup winner finished second last in the first race of his latest Australian campaign but that hasn't worried trainer Roger James.
James was not in Brisbane for the race but was concerned about a cut on one of Cronus' front legs after talking to the horse's minder Clare Weston-Arnold.
"Clare said he got checked with a lap to go that not only cost him a good position in the field but also cut his leg open," said James.
"There was a lot of blood after the race but hopefully it won't be that serious. We will know a lot more tomorrow."
James hopes to start Cronus in next week's Prime Minister's Cup on the Gold Coast.
"We still have 10 days until that race so we might get away with it."
James said the check cost Cronus any chance he had in the race won by Sydney galloper Joss Sticks.
"He was going to end up perfectly placed fifth but he got pushed right back when the horse outside him came down on top of him in what I don't think was a very good piece of riding by the other jockey," he said.
"After that the race became a sprint home and we were in a hopeless place from there.
"Vinny [rider Vinny Colgan] said it was a run best forgotten so I'm not getting too down about the run."
James is hoping the real launch of his Queensland assault goes better.
He plans to line-up possibly four of his team in Brisbane on Saturday, including classy mare Foxwood, trying to regain some of the gloss she lost when well beaten twice in Sydney last month.
Horse Racing: Bloody opening to campaign
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