Racing NSW stewards have cleared $10 million earner Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock) to continue his autumn carnival campaign.
Ceolwulf has passed a series of veterinary tests since he was found to have traces of blood in both nostrils after finishing unplaced in the Apollo Stakes won by unbeaten Autumn Glow at Royal Randwick last Saturday.
The tests proved that Ceolwulf had not bled internally (lungs) which would have resulted in an automatic three-month racing
Randwick Equine Centre veterinarians reported that endoscopic and computed tomographic examination have “ruled out any current major cause of respiratory associated haemorrhage”.
“Given the lack of overt evidence of either a major source of upper respiratory haemorrhage or exercise-related induced pulmonary haemorrhage….the gelding is suitable for immediate return to training and racing,” the report read.
It was revealed “stable clots were visible in the ethmoid region of the nasal passage further indicating an upper respiratory source”.
Trainer Joe Pride met with stewards at Warwick Farm before the first race and was relieved when told Ceolwulf’s autumn carnival campaign remains on track.
“This is a very unique set of circumstances, it will be rare to see another case like Ceolwulf’s,” Pride said.
“I feared the worst after the race last Saturday when I saw traces of blood but the horse pulled up so well so I had him scoped and it came up clear. The horse has undergone further tests and it proved he didn’t bleed.
“He hasn’t missed a beat since the race, as the reports say he is spot on so we can press on with his autumn campaign.”
Pride said Ceolwulf will go to the Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on February 28 and then to the Group 3 Sky High Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill before the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington and the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick.
“I was very concerned he might have to miss a run. He missed a run last autumn and it disrupted his entire campaign,” Pride said.
“But he can stick to our plan and he will be at his peak for the Australian Cup and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.”