Yucatan© Photo Healy Racing
Yucatan’s owner Lloyd Williams has explained the decision to miss this weekend’s Caulfield Cup.
Immediately after his easy win in the Herbert Power on Saturday, it was announced Aidan O’Brien’s charge would attempt to win both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.
But that decision was reversed after it was announced Yucatan had been handed a 2.5kg penalty for the Melbourne Cup, and O’Brien felt he would benefit from more time off.
“He hadn’t quite recovered from the race,” Williams said on RSN927’s Racing Pulse.
“He had a little bit of fluid in his joints, and we thought running again in seven days was probably too difficult for him.
“By Wednesday or Thursday, he’ll be absolutely fine.
“He was x-rayed in his joints, and there was absolutely nothing wrong with him. He doesn’t have to run again (before the Melbourne Cup).
While Yucatan shot to prominence in the betting for the Flemington showpiece, Williams — who has won it six times already — stopped short of declaring him his best chance, nominating another Irish-trained runner.
“I like Latrobe,” he said.
“(He’s got) 52 kilos and he’s a pretty good horse, Latrobe.”
