Managing owner of Incentivise Steve Tregea says Incentivise requires a spell of “at least” three months after a gruelling campaign in Melbourne, ruling out a tilt at autumn riches.
Incentivise had three runs in Victoria, including a dominant Caulfield Cup win, before being set for the Melbourne Cup.
Despite being one of the shortest-priced favourites in the history of the famous race, Incentivise – who was a maiden until April 2021 – couldn’t complete the rags-to-riches story and finished second behind Australian racehorse of the year Verry Elleegant.
He was known to pull up with issues after the race but two sets of scans gave him a clean bill of health.
However, Tregea revealed Incentivise is still struggling to overcome his taxing runs.
“He’s a tired horse, he needs a good spell,” he told SEN Track’s Winners.
“He’s tired and he’s very light in condition, so he needs a good rest to get over it.
Asked if there was a potential for an autumn campaign, Tregea didn’t mince his words but suggested time might be all that's needed for the son of Shamus Award.
“No chance … he’s had a bit more veterinary research done on him and he’s got a few little issues there and he’s going to have to spell for at least three months,” he said.
“One would hope so (time is all he needs to recover)… they’ve got to have another look at him.
“He went to the University of College, to their vet hospital there and they did an MRI and a few other things on him and found a few problems, so he’s just got to be looked at in three months time.”
Connections are now hoping for a winter campaign with Incentivise ahead of a likely tilt at the Melbourne Spring Carnival again.
Incentivise is the current favourite for the 2022 Melbourne Cup.