Quality galloper Cup Night in doubt for Northam Stakes on May 1 after latest setback

Cup Night could miss the Northam Stakes next month but trainer Bernie Miller is breathing a sigh of relief after the luckless galloper’s latest setback.

Miller had the reigning Group 3 Northam Stakes (1100m) winner checked by vets after regular rider Patrick Carbery said he “felt terrible” at trackwork on Thursday morning.

Minor issues with his hocks were detected and Miller expects Cup Night to continue his campaign, with the Group 3 Roma Cup (1200m) at Belmont Park on May 14 a possible first-up target.

“He worked real good on Tuesday but on Thursday Pat said he felt terrible,” Miller said.

“I rang the Baldivis vets and they got him in on Saturday morning.

“He’s feeling his hocks so they have been treated.

“I’m not sure if he’ll get to the Northam Stakes, but there’s still the Roma Cup and a couple of other races after we’re looking at.

“It could end up being a blessing in disguise waiting a bit longer.

“I was pretty disappointed when Pat said how bad he felt, but it’s not all doom and gloom.”

Cup Night has battled persistent feet problems and multiple setbacks during his career.

The six-year-old was restricted to one start in last year’s Ascot carnival after hurting himself when he escaped his paddock and bolted multiple laps of Miller’s training track riderless.

The multiple stakes winner was set to trial again at Lark Hill on Tuesday but has been withdrawn. He ran third to Liwa in his return trial at the same track on April 4.

In better news for Miller, classy mare Sheza Chalmer is close to returning from an interrupted Ascot carnival campaign.

A minor leg issue forced the brilliant winner of last year’s Belmont Guineas (1600m) to be spelled after she ran eighth in the Jungle Dawn Classic (1400m).

“She’ll trial in the next two or three weeks,” Miller said.

“There’s nothing planned for her, we’ll just get her back to the races and I’m looking forward to her coming back.”

Meanwhile, WA Oaks winner Lady Chant will fly to Melbourne on Thursday and then travel to Adelaide for the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville on April 30.

The Brock Lewthwaite-trained filly finished powerfully to win the WA Oaks (2400m) last month before running fifth Alaskan God in the WATC Derby (2400m).