Just three days after his dominant win in the Group 3 Up & Coming Stakes (1300m), promising three-year-old Kibou has been sidelined for the 2022 Spring Carnival.
The son of Maurice has won three of his five career starts, including a comfortable 2.2-length victory on Saturday, but he will not take any part in the spring.
Rated an $11 chance for the Golden Rose (1440m) and a $6 favourite for the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m), the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained gelding was one of the more promising spring prospects, but connections will now have to wait until the autumn to see him again.
“Co-Trainer Adrian Bott has this morning reported to Racing NSW Stewards that KIBOU has been found to have bone chips in its near fore knee that require surgery,” Racing NSW wrote.
“Mr Bott confirmed that Kibou will undergo surgery shortly and then be spelled. As a result, Kibou will not race again during the Spring Carnival.
“Wagering Operators are requested to remove Kibou from all feature spring betting markets.”
Chris Waller now holds the key to the Spring Champion Stakes, with Conqueror ($6), Osipenko ($6) and Political Debate ($8) occupying the top three lines of betting with online bookmakers for the October Group 1.
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