Vinery Stud shuttler Congrats (USA) is recovering in good order following colic surgery last week.

The champion son of A P Indy will fly back to Kentucky later this month to fulfil his next northern book at WinStar Farm.

“Congrats became uncomfortable and was sent to Scone Equine Hospital where an exploratory laparotomy was performed,” Vinery Australia general manager Peter Orton said.  “No gut was removed and he’s back home in his own stall and continues to do very well.”

WinStar Farm president Elliott Walden is optimistic Congrats will be ready to cover mares by the first week of March after discussing the situation with Orton.  “We’re relieved to hear Congrats is doing well,” Walden said.  “A few years back, Speightstown had colic surgery in the same month and covered a full book of mares.”

Congrats (USA) is coming off a successful year with his first crop of Kentucky bred juveniles.  He finished fourth in the North American 2YO premiership with 18 individual winners of $1.72 million.

Two new maiden winners boosted that crop’s tally to 20 on New Year’s Day.

Can’t Miss (3f Congrats – Storm Key by Storm Cat) streeted her rival with a front-running victory at Gulfstream Park.  She bolted in by 7 lengths for White Wabbit Wacing and won’t be long repaying a $65,000 price-tag from the 2013 Keeneland September yearling sale.

Can’s Miss was bred by Almar Farm owners Jon and Jennifer Goebel and is a half-sister to Desert Key (E Dubai) who was runner-up in the 2008 G1 King’s Bishop Stakes at Saratoga.

Urtheoneeyelove (3f Congrats – One Eye Love by Quiet American) scored by 4 lengths at Turfway Park despite missing the start and being checked on the home turn.  She made $70,000 at the 2013 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky yearling sale and is a half-sister to Gulfstream Park stakes performer Blackwell (Came Home).

Congrats also has his initial Australian-bred two year-olds emerging this month and one of the first in action – Shampers – was placed at Cranbourne on Friday evening.

Vinery has entered a close relation to Shampers at the Magic Millions on Thursday.  Catalogued as Lot 351, the colt is one of 19 yearlings by Congrats for sale on the Gold Coast this week.