Trish Dunell Photography
Trainer John Morell has taken the cautious approach with quality three-year-old filly Florence Jean and has withdrawn her from Saturday’s Listed Partners Life Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie.
The daughter of Pins suffered from a virus in early September, but bounced back to finish runner-up in the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) late last month.
Morell has sent Florence Jean for a spell after a persistent cough failed to resolve.
“Her bloods are perfect, but when you work her she is still coughing,” Morell said.
“It’s no good going to the races unless you’re 100 per cent right. It’s just not worth risking her and there are plenty of three-year-old races after Christmas.”
The decision to head to the paddock also rules Florence Jean out of a tilt at the Gr.1 gavelhouse.com New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m).