by Adam Hamilton
You won’t see Australia’s buzz juvenile Lumineer again this season.
Trainer Ange McDowall today confirmed the unbeaten Australian Gold final winner would not be returning for the rich Breeders Crown at Melton in August.
“I’m sure we’re doing the right thing benching him for the rest of the season,” McDowall said.
Lumineer had a minor setback after his sparkling Australian Gold win at Menangle on April 29 and has not been seen since.
“He’s really well. We had him checked over at the Ballarat clinic last Friday and all looks good,” McDowall said. “It’s extremely tempting to go again, but I think it’s best to give some extra time out now.
“This way he can return to work in August and have a long, slow build-up to a big three-year-old season.
“The plan is to start taking him to the beach again in August. I don’t like to rush their preparations, so it’ll be good to have time on our side before the major (3YO) races.”
Lumineer has won all five starts by an aggregate of 50m and run some staggering times seemingly with ease, including his 1.52.5 at Menangle in a semi-final in the Australian Gold.
His brilliance has prompted discussions around being the best juvenile since the mighty Lombo Pocket Watch, who won 17 of his 18 starts in the 2005/06 season.
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