McDonagh’s Crew Missing Ascot
In a blow to trainer, Kieran McDonagh, talented gelding Cockney Crew has been ruled out of the Ascot carnival with an eye injury.
“He had an ulcer removed from his eye and I’ve run out of time to get him ready and fit for a summer campaign,” McDonagh told The Races WA.
“I was expecting him to be back in work weeks ago, but although not serious, it’s taken him a little time to get over it.
“The owners are being cautious and are not in any rush to get him back before he is ready, they won’t be taking any risks.
“It’s not a serious injury that threatens his career or anything like that, but I just have run out of time to get him ready for the Perth Cup.”
It’s the second year running that the rub of the green hasn’t fallen McDonagh’s way with feet issues halting Cockney Crew’s 2020 Perth Cup (2400m) assault in January.
Placed second behind Regal Power in the WA Derby (2400m) and Melvista Stakes (2200), Cockney Crew has not raced since November last year.
In better news for McDonagh, Lonsdale Lady has been given the all clear after a vet examination.
The Maschino mare scored a top win first up following throat surgery before a disappointing sixth to Comfort Me last-start.
“She’s been vetted, scoped and had a thorough going over and all is fine with her,” McDonagh said.
“She’s in the paddock for a couple of weeks and can have a little freshen-up.
“I think it was trainer error and not anything to do with the horse to be honest.
“The instructions to Jade (McNaught) to be aggressive from the barriers wasn’t the right call, particularly after a throat operation.
“There is also the second-up syndrome.
“She’ll come back for some rating races and if she does well we can look at some of the bigger races at Ascot.”
Julio Santarelli