3 minute read

The racing future of Cup Night is in limbo.

Trainer Bernie Miller has ended the six-year-old's campaign after he finished unplaced in last Saturday's Roma Cup (1200m) at Belmont.

Jockey Pat Carbery expressed immediate concerns after the Roma Cup when he said Cup Night felt ordinary in the run and pulled up quickly.

Cup Night has been plagued by feet problems throughout his career and had minor hock problems in the lead up to the Northam Stakes (1100m).

X rays on Monday cleared Cup Night of any serious injury, but it did show the Maschino gelding to be suffering bruising to both heels.

Miller was hopeful of getting Cup Night to next fortnight's Belmont Sprint (1400m), however he had a change of heart after consulting Carbery.

Miller admits he is uncertain about Cup Night's future.

"Pat (Carbery) thought there might be something more sinister after Saturday, but the x rays came back clear," Miller told The Races WA.

"I was worried that there might have been further damage to his hock, but there were no chips to be found.

"He has bruising to both heels, more the offside heel that needs attention, and I was hoping with treatment he could get to the Belmont Sprint.

"But I had a chat to Pat (Carbery) and he believes he just didn't seem right on the weekend and we shouldn't go forward.

"Based on Pat's opinion I've decided to end Cup Night's campaign and give him a decent break to get over everything.

"We will look after him and hopefully, he can come back."

The winner of nine of his 30 starts, Cup Night has collected just over half a million dollars in prizemoney.

Signature victories came in the Listed Raconteur Stakes (1500m), Scenic Blast Stakes (1200m) and G3 Northam Stakes (1100m).

He also ran feature placings in the Perth Stakes (1100m), Northam Cup (1600m), Pinjarra Classic (1300m) and Black Heart Bart Stakes (1200m).