Riccarton trainer Michael Pitman has abandoned hopes of racing Coup Align in the KrisFlyer Sprint in Singapore in May because of quarantine requirements.
Pitman said the time in quarantine would be too harsh on Coup Align, allowing that an invitation was first required to contest the race.
"He would have to be in quarantine for six weeks on the way home. We felt it was too big a deal for a 4-year-old," Pitman said.
"He has gone out for a spell with only five starts this season and can come back into work early in May. There is a possibility he will go to Melbourne in the spring."
Coup Align recorded wins in the Pegasus and Stewards' Handicaps at Riccarton, an open sprint at Waikouaiti and the Eclipse Stakes at Wingatui during the season. He advanced his record to 10 wins from 15 starts for $210,625 in stakes.
Borninthestates, winner of seven cup races in the South Island, returned to work with Pitman last week. The 7-year-old injured a tendon when campaigned in Queensland last winter.
"We brought him back into work in the spring but I felt he was not 100 per cent and he went out again," Pitman said.
- OTAGO DAILY TIMES
Racing: Quarantine scuppers Coup Align
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