KEY POINTS:
The career of New Zealand's best racehorse, Xcellent, has again been derailed.
A recurring shoulder muscle strain has almost certainly ruled Xcellent out of racing for the remainder of this year.
That includes New Zealand's richest race, the $2 million Kelt Capital Stakes.
The outstanding galloper's problem has
created a huge financial windfall for the TAB, which has steadily taken sizeable investments on Xcellent for the Kelt Capital since opening its futures market on the race in the autumn.
Xcellent's problems are separate from the tendon trouble that kept him away from the track for the 19 months between finishing third in Makybe Diva's 2005 Melbourne Cup and the Stradbroke Handicap in Brisbane this June.
"It showed up as a shoulder muscle strain 2 1/2 weeks ago and after a week off he seemed fine," said co-trainer Paul Moroney.
"But on Monday morning when Michael Coleman took him out to work he said he didn't feel right in the shoulder, so I told him not to work him."
Stable veterinarian Jim Marks inspected Xcellent yesterday and confirmed the problem had returned.
"Jim said this time instead of a week, it's going to be three to four weeks.
"The thought is that he's rolled incorrectly.
"It's a strained ligament from his right-side wither going down to the shoulder and it's deepseated."
Moroney is well aware of the sense of erring on the side of caution with a horse as valuable and with the earning potential as Xcellent.
"We've spent so long getting the tendons right it would be foolish to do something that would turn what is a short-term issue into a long-term issue.
"If we miss the spring we've still got all the summer and autumn to look forward to."
The TAB will meantime keep Xcellent in its betting markets for the $250,000 Stoney Bridge Stakes on September 22 and the Kelt Capital two weeks later.
"Our information is that a decision will be made next Wednesday whether Xcellent will go forward to those races, but I guess that looks unlikely," said bookmaker Thad Taylor.
The TAB has placed double question marks alongside Xcellent on the betting charts to alert punters there are doubts.
Taylor said Xcellent had been well backed for the Kelt since he was declared a certain runner in the Stradbroke in June.
"He's certainly one of the best backed Kelt runners, but punters went into that with their eyes open knowing they were supporting a horse that has had issues."
Moroney said it breaks hearts with frustration to look at Xcellent.
"He looks amazing - he's a real cracking specimen now he's matured.
"He bucked and kicked his way to the pool the other morning and you think 'is there really something wrong with you?' But there is.
"We have to turn to Jokers Wild and Eskimo Queen in Melbourne in the meantime.
"We've got a nice team around us and they'll have to fill the void until we get the Big X back."
* Disaster struck before race two at Taupo yesterday when hot favourite Fasmeara got away just before the start, broke a leg and had to be put down.
The valuable Fasmeara (Fasliyev - Chimeara) won a barrier trial very easily at Te Teko last week and was on debut for trainer Mark Walker.
Alberto broke back into winning form in the main Taupo race, scoring nicely for the new Graeme Rogerson/Garry Newham partnership.