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Last year’s Melbourne Cup winner Protectionist may have run his last race after becoming distressed following Saturday’s Sydney Cup.
The champion stayer is currently under observation in the Randwick Equine Centre after another disappointing run this preparation.
Australian Bloodstock’s Jamie Lovett revealed on racing ahead that it might be the last we see of Protectionist on the track.
“Hand on my heart – I don’t know (if he’s run his last race),” Lovett said. “I hope not.
“He’s in a bit of a bad way at the moment. He’s in a fair bit of pain.
“He’s not lame, but he’s not a happy horse. About the 800m mark he took a little dip and he fell apart – he just lost his action altogether. We just need to get to the bottom of it.
“Obviously we’re a little bit concerned at the moment going forward with what we’re dealing with.
“We’re just hopeful.”
Protectionist has appeared to suffer the same fate as some other recent Melbourne Cup winners who have failed under handicap conditions following the biggest race in Australia.
Lovett admits Protectionist’s record hasn’t been great this campaign, however he was confident of a good run going into the Sydney Cup.
“We couldn’t have been happier going into the race, (after) his BMW run we were very happy going out to the two mile,” he said.
“Up until Saturday he hasn’t disappointed us. We’re just really hopeful we get to see the best of him.”
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