Injury has derailed this year’s plans for the exciting stayer Woodloveto.

The son of Redwood has won three of his seven appearances and connections were considering feature race options in the new season before he was laid low.

“We had in the back of our minds a race like the New Zealand Cup for him as he only goes left-handed,” Cambridge trainer Samantha Logan said.

“We’ve had a set-back with him though. He was back in work for a month when I noticed some swelling in his hock.

“He was never lame, but we found a small chip which has been taken out so he’s on the back-burner.”

Woodloveto is now unlikely to be seen out again until next year.

“He needs four weeks of box rest and then another six weeks in the paddock,” Logan said.

“He’ll probably be out for the summer, but we’re not too concerned. He’s a young staying horse and he’s worth waiting for – time will be his best friend.

“It’s not the end of the world, he’s a tough cookie and he’ll come back stronger from this.”

Woodloveto posted consecutive victories over 2200m at Rotorua and over 2500m at Hawke’s Bay in the autumn before he was spelled.

Out of the Gr.2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) winner For Love, the four-year-old is part-owned by Logan’s Singapore-based mother Donna.