UK trainer Andrew Balding has advised Racing Victoria (RV) that Spanish Mission will no longer fly to Melbourne this weekend and will instead arrive on Saturday, 9 October with a second shipment of international entrants for the Spring Racing Carnival.
The change in travel plans means that Spanish Mission will no longer contest the $5 million Carlton Draught Caulfield Cup (2400m) on 16 October and will exclusively target the $8 million Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on 2 November.
Balding advised RV that Spanish Mission had incurred a slight setback (muscle spasms in his flanks) following exercise whilst in Pre-Export Quarantine (PEQ) in Newmarket (UK) and had missed some ridden exercise as a result. The stable has elected to take a cautious approach with the horse upon his return to ridden exercise today and have thus deferred their travel to the second shipment.
Spanish Mission remains in PEQ where he will ultimately complete four weeks quarantine, being two consecutive periods of two weeks, before travelling to Australia. Upon arrival in Victoria, he will then complete two weeks Post-Arrival Quarantine (PAQ) at the TAB Werribee International Horse Centre.