GOLDEN ROSE winner Toorak Toff is set to have a throat operation in the new year and make a shock return to the track for a crack at the Stradbroke before heading to stud, reports The Age. Trainer Rick Hore-Lacy had retired the star three-year-old after he was diagnosed as a grade 4 roarer during the week but after negotiations with studs, the option of racing became too strong to resist. ''We are still looking at both options but these throat operations are pretty successful these days and he c
GOLDEN ROSE winner Toorak Toff is set to have a throat operation in the new year and make a shock return to the track for a crack at the Stradbroke before heading to stud, reports The Age.
Trainer Rick Hore-Lacy had retired the star three-year-old after he was diagnosed as a grade 4 roarer during the week but after negotiations with studs, the option of racing became too strong to resist.
''We are still looking at both options but these throat operations are pretty successful these days and he could have another preparation before going to stud,'' Hore-Lacy said. ''While we have made no firm decision, it makes sense to race on with him provided the operation was successful. He could have a go at a couple of group 1s and the Stradbroke is very attractive option.''
The throat operation would be much the same as the one So You Think underwent before his unbeaten spring. It would be done in January, meaning Toorak Toff would not return to work until March. This rules out an autumn campaign but the Brisbane winter provides a great carrot. It's likely he would have a three- or four-race campaign, including the BTC Cup, Doomben 10,0000 and Stradbroke, all at group 1 level. The Stradbroke is over the same trip as the Golden Rose, Toorak Toff's only group 1 win.