Racing: Fingers crossed for Xcellent

The extent of Xcellent's new injury will be known late today.

The tendon which flared in Xcellent's "good" front leg on Friday will be scanned today when the swelling has subsided.

It means the end of the New Zealand Horse of the Year's chances of attacking the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup later this year.

But the managing syndicate owner, Paul Moroney, is hoping for news that will suggest an autumn campaign next year is likely.

The worst case is that the tendon problem, combined with the leg trouble he suffered last month, could have career-threatening potential.

"Our vet Jim Marks was stunned to see the problem on Friday.

"Two weeks ago he scanned the original injury and as of right when they do that they scan both legs.

"Jim said there was no sign at all of any problem with this leg when he did the scans.

"This is a very new injury. Jim said it showed signs of being less than 12 hours old when he scanned it at midday on Friday.

"He has clearly got it from tearing around in his paddock."

Swelling has so far prevented an accurate diagnosis, but Marks suspects that there is quite a bad sprain high up on the tendon.

"We've been applying the light machine on the area and massaging gel into it.

"Because it is a non-training injury there is potential for it not to be so serious."

The original tendon problem is progressing well and Marks had recommended Xcellent begin his spring build-up in early May.

"That's out and we can only hope that a six-month spell will fix everything.

"We've got our fingers crossed."