Ask Sheila Laxon how much difference 24 hours can make.
On Tuesday night, basking in the glory of winning Saturday's Oaks with Tapildo, Laxon was contemplating completing a massive week by winning the group-one Thorndon Mile-Wellington Cup double with Andrella and Desert Rain.
Yesterday morning both horses were withdrawn.
Andrella has not sufficiently recovered from being galloped on when winning last weekend's Anniversary Handicap. As for Desert Rain, his Wellington Cup dream was almost never meant to be.
"That's racing," said Laxon, determined not to let the downturn tarnish her first group-one training victory in the Oaks.
Andrella's injury almost certainly came as Mark Du Plessis was doing his marvellous job of extricating her from a tight spot behind the leaders in the home straight in the Anniversary.
"The injury looked pretty insignificant on the day, but it worsened and hasn't come right yet."
Laxon says Bob Emery, who owns both horses, has a big Sydney autumn programme in mind for Andrella and felt there was little point taking risks with her.
Desert Rain is simply one of those unlucky horses.
A couple of seasons ago he looked a real Derby chance before leg injury sidelined him on race eve.
He did not produce his best in a year of racing when he returned to the track and went even worse when sent to Melbourne last spring to be trained.
Desert Rain had to be withdrawn from the Trentham Stakes last Saturday when he refused to enter the barriers and disgraced himself by finishing last in the Cup Trial on Monday, where he was favourite.
Laxon believes that failure was caused by Desert Rain switched off after having to stand in the barriers for what she says was nearly 10 minutes.
He was also a little sore in one foot after being re-shod on Tuesday which was another, and final, sign that this was one race the horse was not destined to tackle.
"Bob felt so much had gone wrong it was better to ease back and start again with him," says Laxon.
"I'm very happy with his physical condition and I'm sure he just switched off on Monday after standing in the barriers for so long.
"He looks good, his blood is very good and he's eating well, but nothing seems to have gone right."
Laxon feels Andrella can improve a lot.
"A year ago we had to put blinkers on her because she was so field-shy, but you could not have been in a more strenuous situation behind the leaders in the Anniversary and it didn't faze her.
Andrella is likely to race at Ellerslie on March 3 before leaving for Australia.
Racing: Laxon hits jackpot in bad-luck stakes
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