Matias and Jedibeel sidelined by injuries through end of Sydney season
Talented three-year-old Matias is sidelined from the Queensland Derby owing to a leg problem, as elite sprinter Jedibeel needs throat surgery and faces a delayed comeback later in the year.
The duo of capable runners will mark significant absences at minimum through the season's close, having displayed flashes of elite-race promise amid Sydney's flagship autumn meeting.
Following a dominant success in the Frank Packer Plate (2000m) at Royal Randwick two weeks back, Matias emerged as an early market elect for the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) to be held at Eagle Farm on May 30.
Trainer Gerald Ryan revealed to Racing And Sports that Matias sustained a minor leg setback at trackwork last Saturday.
"Matias twisted a joint and is going to the paddock,'' said Ryan, who trains in partnership with Sterling Alexiou.
"We would have been behind the eight-ball trying to get him ready for the Derby.
So, we have pulled up stumps, he will have a break and hopefully be back for spring.
I was devastated when it happened as the horse was coming along so well for Brisbane.''
After a lacklustre showing where he trailed the field in The Quokka at Ascot on April 18, Jedibeel—who had contested The Everest last spring—was identified with a throat condition.
Jedibeel, a $2 million winner, produced an atypical effort, contrasting his previous run where he charged from the rear on the corner to almost nab Marhoona in the Group 1 The Galaxy at Rosehill during Golden Slipper Day.
"A month ago Jedibeel nearly wins The Galaxy then three weeks later we are dealing with this,'' trainer Brad Widdup said.
"After The Quokka, (jockey) Tyler Schiller told us the horse was making a noise so we had the horse checked by the vets.
You see some scopes and you think how does the horse even breathe but fortunately it is not that bad with Jedibeel.
But there is enough there where we have to do something so he will have the throat surgery.
I'm not sure how long he will have out, he may miss the spring or return later in the year, we will just see how the surgery goes.
But the horse comes first. Jedibeel has been a great horse for us and I will give him all the time he needs before getting him back to the races."
Visit online bookmakers to find the best racing odds for the Queensland Derby.
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