Waller star undergoes emergency surgery

Star galloper Riff Rocket underwent emergency colic surgery overnight.

Trainer Chris Waller says early signs are promising but the next few days will be “very important” for his health and survival.

Riff Rocket was due to run down in Melbourne on Saturday in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes after an impressive first-up run in the Winx Stakes a fortnight ago.

“Last night Riff Rocket underwent emergency colic surgery,” Chris Waller Racing posted on X.

“Early signs are promising but the next few days will obviously be very important for his ongoing health and survival which is our main concern.

“He is at the South Eastern Equine Hospital who have done a fantastic job working through the night. They found the impaction in his large colon which has been relieved, so our thanks go out to them as well our stable vet and staff who picked up the issue early.

“Our thoughts are with the horse and his connections at the time and hopefully he will make a full racing return in 2020.”