Jukebox nominated for Slipper lead-up

Blue Diamond Stakes scratching Jukebox will be monitored by Racing Victoria vets this week as he recovers from a foot abscess.

The the colt is nominated to re-start his preparation in a Golden Slipper lead-up race interstate this weekend.

Jukebox was scratched from Saturday’s $1.5 million Blue Diamond after two inspections by veterinarians on race eve who deemed him unfit to race.

After being unhappy with the colt’s action in an initial inspection on Friday morning, two Racing Victoria vets and an independent vet then inspected him again on Friday afternoon before he was scratched.

RV stewards issued a release on Monday saying the Ciaron Maher stable had advised them a near fore hoof abscess had burst.

Jukebox is nominated for Saturday’s Todman Stakes in Sydney and also will be entered for the Black Opal in Canberra on Sunday with Maher saying he had not made a decision where the colt would head.

On Monday morning, Maher told RSN927 he hoped to gallop the colt in front of stewards in order for him to be cleared to continue his preparation towards a Golden Slipper start.

“He was nice and bright this morning so I’ll get in contact with the stewards and see if they can come down and watch him gallop,” Maher said.

“There’s two options for him. There’s either the Todman or the Black Opal in Canberra.”