A second attempt to win the Group 1 Caulfield Cup by Scottish has been ruled out after the Godolphin stayer suffered a recurrence of a fetlock injury.

Scottish, above, has been ruled out of a second Caufield Cup attempt because of injury. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Scottish, above, has been ruled out of a second Caufield Cup attempt because of injury. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Trainer Charlie Appleby had planned a return trip to Australia for the 2017 Melbourne Spring Carnival with Scottish who finished second to the Ciaron Maher trained Jameka in the 2016 Group 1 $3m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield.

Appleby had then planned to freshen up the Teofilo gelding for the 2000m Group 1 $2m Emirates Stakes on the last day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival when he was found to be lame on the eve of the race and scratched.

Appleby confirmed that Scottish’s latest fetlock injury is the same joint that caused him trouble in Melbourne and it flared up again as he was preparing to run in the Group 1 US$1m Arlington Million (1 ¼ miles) at Arlington International Racecourse, USA, on Saturday.

“It is his near-fore, the same leg that caused him to miss the G1 Mackinnon (Emirates Stakes) at Flemington last November,” Appleby said.

“He breezed at Arlington this morning (Thursday) and was found to be lame when he cooled down.”

“It’s a real blow. He had been working really well since returning from Royal Ascot in June, and the trip to the States was very much a prelude to spending the Australian Spring in Melbourne.

“But that’s all off the agenda now. The good news is that long-term the prognosis is good. All going well, he should be right to race again early next year in Dubai.”

Scottish has only raced once since collecting the 2016 Caulfield Cup runner’s up cheque for a fifth to Highland Reel in the Group 1 £750,000 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (1 mile 2 furlongs) at Royal Ascot in England on June 21.

Scottish had been listed as a $26 chance for the 2017 Caulfield Cup at Ladbrokes.com.au before his withdrawal from the market which now has the Japanese stayer Admire Deus as the early $13 favourite ahead of Australian Oaks winner Bonneval, Queensland Oaks winner Egg Tart, multiple Group 1 winner Hartnell, Rosehill Guineas winner Gingetnuts and the Australian Cup winner Humidor all at $17.

Early market order for the 2017 Caulfield Cup at Ladbrokes.com.au: $13 Admire Deus, $17 Gingernuts, Bonneval, Hartnell, Humidor, Egg Tart, $21 Idaho, Frontiersman, Francis Of Assisi, Our Century, $26 Aloft, Barsanti, Big Duke, Bondi Beach, Crocodile Rock, Exospheric, Montoya’s Secret, Varizabad, $34 Yankee Rose, Jon Snow, Articus,  Almandin, Grey Lion, Kinema, Oceanographer, Perfect Reflection, Manatee, Prized Icon, Red Cardinal, Sarrasin, Single Gaze, Sir Isaac Newton, Tally, Tosen Stardom, $41 or better the rest.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.