Cox Plate hopeful Pompeii Ruler will be out for this year’s entire Spring Carnival after trainer Mick Price noticed swelling in the gelding’s off-foreleg.

After speaking with the horse’s managing owner Brian Coyle, Price has decided to send the horse on a three month spell.

“We are not happy with the amount of effusion in the off-front and for the amount of work and racing the horse had in front on him, I’m not happy with the fetlock with that in mind,” Price said.

“I wouldn’t say it was a specific breakdown but I think the joint needs a bit of time.”

The injury was noticed after Pompeii Ruler was training on a 1200 metre sand track at Caulfield last Tuesday (18/8/09) and is believed to have been caused during the Yalumba Stakes where the horse was unbalanced by another racer.

Price is concerned that if pushed too hard, the horse’s fetlock joint will not hold up for the remainder of the racing training.

However this is not the first time the horse has had to stop training due to a leg injury.

Last season Pompeii Ruler was spelled for 12 months due to a suspensory ligament injury of the off foreleg.

On his return to the track, the seven year old was runner up in both the Underwood Stakes and the Yalumba Stakes.

This season Pompeii Ruler was expected to emerge in the Makybe Diva Stakes and showed potential for the Cox Plate with his odds at $14.

Sired by the 1995 Japan Two Thousand Guineas winner and the Japan Derby runner up Genuine, Pompeii Ruler finished fourth to Gloria De Campeao in the Group 1 Singapore International Cup.

Price is hoping to get Pompeii Ruler back out for the autumn racing season.

AAP