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Top Newcastle sprinter Atomic Force will not be seen again until the spring after an injury ended plans to set him for the Krisflyer Sprint in Singapore in May.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Trainer Darren Smith said the spring feature events in Melbourne would now be the target for Atomic Force after he was found to have suffered a knee strain after his New Zealand campaign in January.
Smith said the injury is not career threatening but had decided a spell was preferable to keeping him in training for Singapore or the Brisbane carnival.
The dual Group One winner of the Galaxy at Randwick and the Railway Stakes at Ellerlsie in New Zealand last raced at Trentham where he finished second in the G1 Telegraph Handicap.
Smith said he had watched Atomic Force closely since his return from NZ and is confident he has made the right decision to abort his Singapore preparation.
"He will be better off by staying the paddock for the time being,' Smith said.
"He suffered a slight leg strain and I would rather not risk it at this stage.
"A good break will ensure he is right for the spring. I believe he will be right up to the best sprint races in Melbourne."