Plenty Of Ammo makes delayed return in Group 2 Blamey Stakes after freak stingray setback

Symon Wilde had to change plans with Group 2-winning mare Plenty Of Ammo after a rare incident the trainer has seen just three times in 20 years.

Warrnambool trainer Symon Wilde has welcomed a more conventional build up to Plenty Of Ammo’s return to the races after a suspected stingray sting derailed original plans.

Plenty Of Ammo was set to run two weeks ago in a 1400m Group 3 but for the freak setback after a recovery swim in beautiful Lady Bay.

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“I think she got stung by a stingray, of all things, and missed a run,” Wilde said.

“It’s the third one I’ve had in 20 years, it’s very, very rare.”

Plenty Of Ammo was being swum back to shore off the back of the dinghy when she reacted wildly.

“She jumped in the air … and she was holding her leg up straight away,” Wilde said.

“We’re thinking ‘what’s going on here’ … we didn’t see it obviously but that’s what we put it down to because it was on the side of her leg, so she didn’t stand on a rock or anything.

“Thankfully it wasn’t too much of a hold up and she’s had a couple gallops since.”

• Four-Play, Quadzilla: $200 betting strategy for Flemington

The Group 2 winner is $9 for the Blamey Stakes (1600m) on Saturday at Flemington from Steparty ($3.70), March Arch ($6), Place Du Carrousel ($7), Zardozi ($7) and Just Folk ($9).

Wilde has potential Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) goals for Plenty Of Ammo, through the Peter Young Stakes (1800m) in a fortnight.

The Blamey Stakes is an All-Star Mile qualifier but Wilde said the Group 2 Crystal Mile winner shaped more like a 2000m horse now.