Scans yesterday on Xcellent's injured leg suggest he could be back racing in the spring.
Veterinarian Jim Marks took scans of the leg yesterday morning and they revealed a tiny hole in the superflexor tendon, a better scenario than had been assumed.
"Jim was quick to emphasise that the hole,
while definitely there, is so small you could almost miss it. It's minute.
"He is positive that with the right care Xcellent will come back to perfect health."
The relief for managing owner Paul Moroney is that the injury was detected so early.
"Had he galloped again with the injury, or raced, things would be considerably worse.
"Jim Marks had been called in to look at a different issue and, thankfully, noticed the problem."
Moroney said Marks has drawn up a programme for Xcellent which includes walking 20 to 30 minutes every second day and massaging analgesic into the affected era.
"Jim said that when the leg is re-scanned in two months he will be very surprised if there is any sign of the hole.
"It means Xcellent will have two months spelling and then possibly be ready to start moving up.
"We may have lost the battle, but we might have won the war."
Moroney said he and his ownership partners have been greatly encouraged by the level of support they have received since Wednesday's bleak news.
"It's been quite inspiring," said Moroney. "We've had calls from experts in the field, trainers telling us how they've dealt with the same problem in horses of theirs, old-fashioned remedies.
"It's enlightening. It shows you how much interest and caring for the horse in the industry there is out there."
Moroney said one of the calls involved news of a revolutionary type of treatment.
The information came from a veterinary team in Christchurch and Marks is evaluating it.
Races that Xcellent will miss include tomorrow's $100,000 Waikato Draught Sprint, the A$1 million Australian Cup and the US$5 million Sheema Classic in Dubai.
