Missile Launch To Miss Ascot Features
14 November, 2018
Thoroughbred
Missile Launch has suffered a setback and his racing future in Western Australia remains in doubt, according to disappointed trainer, Vaughn Sigley.
Missile Launch, who ran a disappointing fifth in last Saturday’s Listed Ascot Gold Cup (1800m), will miss the remainder of the Ascot carnival.
“He’s in the paddock spelling and we won’t be seeing him again this year or when to be honest,” Sigley said.
“I had him scoped after the weekend and he had a lot of mucus and is suffering from severe allergies.
“It’s like having asthma for horses and they can’t breathe, it becomes very, very debilitating for them.
“I’ve known he’s had this problem, but if it’s going to happen at this time of the year it’s going to limit our choices.
“If he can only race in Perth during the autumn there are not going to be a lot of races around that will be suitable for him.
“My option could be to go over and take him to Melbourne or he could be sold to other interests.
“I’ve fielded a couple of offers including one from overseas in Hong Kong earlier in his career.
“It’s all up in the air at the moment and there are plenty of things to consider.
“It’s just disappointing because I know he is better than what he has been showing.”
Missile Launch burst onto the scene last year and showed his potential by winning four straight races at Bunbury, Pinjarra and Ascot.
Sigley had Missile Launch touted as Railway Stakes hope, but the five-year-old failed to run a placing in three starts this campaign.
Julio Santarelli