Godolphin’s main Cups contender is out of the Caulfield Cup and is likely to miss the Spring Carnival completely after a veterinary inspection this morning has found him to have suffered a small hairline fracture of his pelvis.
Francis Of Assisi was found to be lame behind when he cooled down from a routine canter at the Werribee quarantine centre.
“He pulled out 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 Three starts in Australia last year, claiming the Bendigo Cup (2400m) and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m).
Francis Of Assisi was $17 in Caulfield Cup markets and Melbourne Cup markets before the news broke.