Retirement looms as a genuine possibility for South Australian veteran Alcopop who is coming off the best campaign of his entire career.
Alcopop will play no part in the autumn and is being considered for retirment
The eight-year-old fractured a leg in the past and has to be constantly monitored and delicately managed by trainer Jake Stephens.
Stephens told Radio Sports National connections are considering sending the Group 1 winner out on a high rather than pressuring him to continue for another racing season.
“It might be good to let him go out on a high rather than keep him running around,” Stephens said.
“He’s sound and everything at the moment but at the same time that knee that he has fractured, it’s been a little bit of a battle with that.
“So you don’t want to be putting too much pressure on that.”
Stephens said Alcopop will play absolutely no role in the autumn, with a four month break on the cards for the tough stayer.
“He’s no oil painting but at the same time he’s got that high pain threshold so you’ve got to be pretty careful,” he said.
Many questioned Alcopop’s ability to continue to compete at the highest level in the spring after he finished a best of seventh in his opening four starts.
But the experienced galloper flicked the switch when second in the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes and then went on to finish second in the Caulfield Cup and win the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes.
His Melbourne spring performances earned him a trip overseas for the Group 1 Hong Kong Cup where he produced an outstanding performance to come from a long way back and finish third in unsuitable conditions.
