A Caulfield Cup start for English stayer Francis Of Assisi has been ruled out after the horse suffered a hairline fracture of his pelvis after working at Werribee Racecourse on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It's a blow for connections as Francis Of Assisi landed in Australia last year and immediately made a name for himself by winning key lead-up races to the Melbourne Cup.
The stayer who came to Australia with a very limited form profile last year thrived to such an extent in his time at the Werribee quarantine centre that those close to the horse were eager for him to have a another trip Down Under.
This year the powerful Godolphin outfit were confident the horse could improve on his already outstanding Australian record by winning bigger races such as the Caulfield Cup.
Francis Of Assisi was found to be lame behind when he cooled down from a routine canter at the Werribee quarantine centre.
"He pulled up short on his left hind after exercising in the morning," trainer Charlie Appleby said from England.
"Our vet had a look at him and the diagnosis revealed he has a small hairline fracture of his pelvis."
"Unfortunately it means he will miss the Caulfield Cup but he will have an MRI in the next few days, which will tell us more about the extent of the injury."
Francis Of Assisi won his two group 3 starts in Australia last year, claiming the Bendigo Cup (2400m) and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m).
