KEY POINTS:
Magic Cape has broken down in Australia and will not race again until next spring.
The Kelt Capital Stakes placegetter has a hairline fracture of a fetlock joint. Trainer Shaune Ritchie said he had not been entirely happy with Magic Cape's action after he finished unplaced in the A$3 million Cox Plate.
"We had him x-rayed, but nothing showed up." Ritchie had been keen to run Magic Cape in a A$100,000 handicap at Flemington today.
"We pressed on for five or six days and things seemed to be okay, but then I just noticed a slight difference in the action again and we had him x-rayed a second time.
"It showed up a hairline fracture, basically a stress fracture. The positive side of it is that the vets have said he'll make a full recovery, it's in no way career threatening."
Ritchie has been advised to confine Magic Cape to his box for four weeks then restrict him to a small yard for a further six weeks, then six weeks in the paddock.
"That takes us through to March, which means he'd be ready to run in mid-winter, but what's the point of that, there's no money around in the winter and it would be too rushed to try and get him ready for the Queensland winter carnival.
"He's much better having a good long spell and be brought back for spring racing. I'll aim him at the Kelt again."
There is no such thing as a good injury, but Ritchie says Magic Cape will be a better horse for the lengthy spell. "I've always said he'd be a better 5-year-old than a 4-year-old. He'll come back very competitive in races like the Kelt."
Magic Cape has been stabled on the Mornington property of New Zealand trainer Brian Jenkins.
"He'll stay there until he's able to travel and I'll find a nice paddock for him," said Ritchie. "When the New Zealand borders open up again he'll fly back home to go into work."
