English visitor Scottish has been forced out of today’s Group 1 $2m Emirates Stakes (2000m) at Flemington because of an injury and will return to England without another Australian start.

Scottish, above, is out of the Emirates Stakes at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Godolphin’s Newmarket trainer Charlie Appleby was forced to scratch Scottish on Friday when the five year old returned to the stables okay after his morning workout but was found to be lame later in the afternoon.

“He came back from routine exercise OK this morning, but he is unsound on his left fore this afternoon,” trainer Charlie Appleby told Godolphin.com.

“He may have wrenched his fetlock. We have taken veterinary advice and after discussing the matter with John Ferguson, who is currently in America, we decided he should miss the Emirates.

Scottish was well in contention in the betting at around the $5 mark for the Emirates Stakes with Ladbrokes.com.au after being freshened up following his second to Jameka in the Group 1 $3m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on October 15.

Appleby had high expectations for Scottish today but will take him back to his English base to recuperate and aim to return to Australia in twelve months time.

The updated market for the Emirates Stakes still has The United States as the $3.50 favourite in the twelve horse field ahead of the French galloper Vadamos at $4 and John O’Shea’s Epsom winner Hauarki at $9.50.

The winning Melbourne Cup combination of owner Lloyd Williams, trainer Robert Hickmott and jockey Kerrin McEvoy could claim another Group 1 trophy over the Melbourne Cup Carnival with The United States who is coming off an unlucky fourth to Le Romain in the Group 1 $1m Cantala Stakes (1600m) at Flemington last Saturday.

The United States is lining up for his third Saturday in a row after winning the Group 2 $200,000 Schweppes Crystal Mile (1600m) the previous week at Moonee Valley.