Scenic Blast will not race in Australia this spring due to difficulties with quarantine restrictions.

Managing part owner Elio Galante has indicated the Global Sprint Challenge leader will stay in England to be prepared for the G1 Sprinters Stakes (1200m) at Nakayama in October.

“The options after Japan are to go straight to Hong Kong for the International Sprint in December or head back to Newmarket and train him from there once again,” Galante said shortly after arriving in Perth last week.

Scenic Blast is currently spelling in England before travelling to Japan.  Connections have not deviated from their original plans despite the son of Scenic’s last-start failure in the G1 July Cup at Newmarket.

“Steven Arnold is of the opinion that Scenic Blast choked down,” Galante revealed.  “We had him scoped immediately after the race and his lungs were fine.  He will be in the paddock for four weeks and then be prepared for Japan.”

Scenic Blast needs just one more win in either Japan or Hong Kong to clinch the US$1 million bonus for any horse that can win a three legs of the Challenge in three different countries.  After four races, Scenic Blast leads the Challenge from Fleeting Spirit and JJ The Jet Plane.