Melbourne Cup runner-up Incentivise will head to the spelling paddock as a sound but tired racehorse after veterinarians cleared the boom stayer of serious injury.
Results of a second set of leg scans have given Incentivise a clean bill of health after he showed signs of lameness following his brave Melbourne Cup bid.
Incentivise experienced swelling and inflammation in his fetlock after finishing second to Verry Elleegant at Flemington on Tuesday.
But fears one of the stars of the spring carnival had suffered a tendon injury were allayed 48 hours after the race.
Incentivise won his first three spring appearances for new trainer Peter Moody, capturing the Caulfield Cup before starting a short-priced Melbourne Cup favourite.
He was no match for Verry Elleegant but came out of the race with his reputation intact after holding off UK stayer Spanish Mission to take second place.
Moody will now set his sights on an early 2022 program for Incentivise where any return clash with Verry Elleegant is certain to be a highlight of the autumn.
"We look forward to having him back in the stables some time during the autumn when he is ready to kick up again, he will let us know, there are no plans in place," Moody said in a social media update.
"He's still a bit battle-weary. He did himself extremely proud and we are extremely proud of him.
"He got beat by an absolute champion there on Tuesday. We are hoping he's the new boy on the block for a few years to come.
"As soon as the weather clears, he will head off for a well-earned rest.
"Get him out in the paddock, get a bit of green grass in his belly and hopefully a bit of Victorian sunshine on his back."
