Menari’s spring over after tieback surgery

A couple of weeks ago, trainer Gerald Ryan had two leading chances in the Coolmore Stud Stakes but is now just hoping for one.

Menari, the nominal favourite, will miss the rest of the spring after having a tie back operation which involves adjusting the cartilage in a horse’s throat to stop it interfering with air flow.

“He has alway made a noise which is why he wore a tongue tie,” Ryan said.

“But the noise has got worse so he need the tie back operation.”

Menari was the raging favourite for the Group One Golden Rose but finished third to his much less fancied stablemate Trapeze Artist who has had his own problems.

The colt was down to run in Saturday’s Sydney Stakes and was an emergency for the $10 million Everest.

But late last week he was found to be moving gingerly with the trainer saying he appeared to have an injury to his shoulder or neck.

On the upside, Trapeze Artist has responded to anti inflammatories and the signs are he will take his place in the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes over the straight 1200m-course at Flemington on November 4.

“We seem to be winning with him,” Ryan said.

“He’s finished the anti inflammatories and is moving well.

“He only missed one day of work and that was on Friday. He had a couple of days just trotting and we’ll step it up over the next few days and see how he goes.”