Remarque has had plenty of hype surrounding him since his dominant debut win, but after a disappointing run in the Golden Rose Stakes on Saturday, he will be out for the remainder of the Spring Carnival.
Trained by Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes, the younger brother of Golden Slipper Stakes winner Estijaab has been found to have a throat issue which could explain his failure to win since his debut back on January 16.
An impressive debut from Remarque who was green but simply too good for them under @TommyBerry21 for @HawkesRacing @ArrowfieldStud
He is the little brother of Golden Slipper winner Estijaab pic.twitter.com/pQxEsEWZUe
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 16, 2021
Post-race comments from jockey Hugh Bowman after the $1m Golden Rose on Saturday left racing fans baffled as to how they were not informed sooner about the colt’s issues.
“He’s a beautiful athlete, but he just can’t breathe,” Bowman said in the post-race summary.
After starting as a fancied $10 chance, Remarque faded to beat only one runner home in the 1200m event, some 12.5 lengths behind In The Congo.
On Monday morning, Team Hawkes revealed that Remarque would miss the remainder of the Spring Carnival.
“Co-trainer Michael Hawkes has today reported to Racing NSW Stewards that an endoscopic examination of Remarque following the horse racing in the XXXX Golden Rose at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, has revealed an upper respiratory abnormality that will necessitate surgery,” the Stewards’ Report read.
“Mr Hawkes confirmed the colt will undergo tie-back surgery in the coming week and will not race again during the Sydney Spring Carnival.
“Wagering Operators are requested to remove the colt from Spring Carnival betting markets.”
Despite only winning once, Remarque started favourite in his first two runs this campaign and was considered a leading chance in the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington on Derby Day.
Given that Remarque is a colt by Snitzel and owned by Arrowfield Stud, there is some speculation that this could be the last we see of him on a racetrack, with a potential stallion career calling his name.
