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Demonetization out of Tarzino; Guineas aim for Mr Malek

Demonetization out of Tarzino

The talented but injury plagued Demonetization  has been ruled out of Saturday's Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings.

The Group Two winner looked to be back to his best with two wins this preparation before an eye-catching fourth-placing in the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) last start, however, a bruised heel has halted his Group One aspirations this weekend.

"Unfortunately he bruised a heel and I think his chances of making the race were slightly less than 50-50," trainer Nigel Tiley said.

"We have to take the shoe off him and the chances were that we wouldn't be able to get the shoe back on him until Wednesday or Thursday.

"It is quite and expensive exercise to keep paying up, so we thought we would take the cautious approach and have a crack at the Windsor Park Plate (Gr.1, 1600m). I hope he gets a start."

Meanwhile, former stablemate Riding The Wave has joined Lindsay Smith's barn across the Tasman.

"We have sold a quarter of him to clients of Brad Spicer's and the original ownership retains three-quarters of him," Tiley said.

"He is a horse that is still coming through the grades and he can race for some serious money over there."

Guineas aim for Mr Malek

New Zealand-bred gelding Mr Malek  raced into Singapore Guineas (1600m) contention with an impressive win at Kranji on Saturday.

It was the first time the son of Swiss Ace had been tested over a mile and he passed with flying colours.

"He needed to win to progress to the Guineas and he's done just that," trainer Lee Freedman said.

"If he didn't run well, we could have gone back to sprints and pressed towards the Lion City Cup (1200m) instead.

"When you know you're going to bump into a horse like Inferno in the Guineas, first you must make sure your horse can run the trip."

Saturday's win was not a forgone conclusion with Freedman admitting he had his doubts when he saw how far back Mr Malek still was in the home straight.

"At the 300m, I thought he was 100-1 to win," he said.

"Countofmontecristo was a few lengths clear and running away, but Harry (Kasim, jockey) knows this horse well now. He's riding in really great form and he showed really good timing.

"Mr Malek is a horse who still has scope for improvement, but he will take Inferno on in the Guineas.

"At least, I know the horse can run the trip and it's not an unknown quantity any more. On that run, he's going to the Guineas."