Too precious to risk

Unbeaten filly The Precious One has been denied the opportunity of repeating history at Riccarton next month.

Injury has ruled her out of the Group I gavelhouse.com New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), a race her mother The Jewel won in 2002.

The Precious One had made a perfect start in her quest for classic glory when she romped to a debut success at Oamaru and returned there for another effortless last-start victory.

Trained by Claire Anderton, the daughter of Darci Brahma subsequently missed a run at Riccarton in the Inglewood Stud Guineas Trial (1400m) earlier this month.

‘‘She was going there before she got a stone bruise and missed some work,’’ Anderton said. ‘‘It’s a long float trip so we decided against it and in her first gallop after that she wasn’t 100 per cent.

‘‘She’s got a slight joint issue and we’re not prepared to take any risks with her so we’ve pulled her out of the Guineas.’’

Anderton said The Precious One would be given the necessary time to recover and they would then be looking at their black type options later in the season.

‘‘The Guineas was our goal and it’s absolutely gutting, but that’s racing and we don’t want to aggravate anything.

‘‘We’ll look after her, it’s just immaturity more than anything and her best interests are the most important thing. We’ll give her the time she needs.’’

The Precious One is owned by her breeders Joe, Martin, Ray and Tony Dennis, who also bred and raced The Jewel. Aside from her Guineas success, she also won the Group I International Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa and was runner-up in the Group I New Zealand Oaks (2400m), the Group I Queensland Oaks (2400m) and the Group I New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m).

– NZ Racing Desk.