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George Ryder Stakes an option for daughter of Pierro

After being scratched from the All-Star Mile (1600m) at the 11th hour on Saturday, the Grant and Alana Williams-trained Arcadia Queen (Pierro) could now head to Sydney for the George Ryder Stakes (Gr 1, 1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday. 

The daughter of Pierro (Lonhro) suffered a hoof problem earlier in the week and Racing Victoria stewards withdrew her on Saturday morning, just hours before the race, due to lameness.

Owner Bob Peters has not ruled out Arcadia Queen going to Sydney, but said the Pierro mare will have to pass a thorough examination before any decision is made.

“Sunday morning she was in the paddock bucking her brands off,” Peters told Tabradio.

“We can’t find anything wrong with her and we have been right over her.

“Every joint is cold, her feet are cold in the morning and nothing to indicate any problems at all.

“She’s never had her joint treated in her life, she’s never had problems like that at all.

“The only problem she ever had was that stumble she had in the Golden Eagle and the muscle problems in her back.

“In our opinion we have a very sound animal who is going to be vetted today.

“In some ways I hope we do find something because if we find something we know what we are dealing with.

“If we get through the process today I have asked Grant to organise a really hard gallop tomorrow (Tuesday) and preferably the Sydney way of going.

“Then we can start thinking about what to do in the future.

“At this stage it’s very much in the air, but I would say she is 50-50 to get to Sydney at this stage.”