The field for the Group 1 $500,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield today has been reduced to twelve runners following the scratchings of Lord Of The Sky and Tavago.
Lord Of The Sky, above, has been scratched from the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Front runner Lord Of The Sky has suffered an recurrence of a tendon injury he suffered in July and trainer Robbie Laing said the six year old will undergo further scans to determine the extent of the injury.
Damien Oliver who was to ride Lord Of The Sky has now picked up the ride on Australian Oaks winner Sofia Rosa after her jockey Michael Walker was forced to relinquish his Memsie Stakes Day rides after suffering a back injury in fall at Geelong on Friday.
Co-trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young will wait for another day to kick off the Spring Carnival campaign for their Australian Derby winner Tavago who was withdrawn this morning after he knocked a tooth out overnight.
Busuttin said that Tavago’s injury wasn’t serious and his withdrawal from the Memsie Stakes wouldn’t greatly affect his Spring Carnival campaign and he will now resume in the Group 1 $500,000 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on September 10.
“He is having bit of a sook,” Busuttin told racing.com.
“It’s nothing major to worry about but he didn’t eat up overnight so it’s nest that we don’t run him.”
“He can have a jump out at Cranbourne early next week or possibly a trial. It’s so early in his preparation so I’m no worried.”
The Group 1 $3m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on October 15 one of Tavago’s major Spring targets.
The Caulfield track is rated a Good 4 this morning with a cool cloudy day forecast and the rail is out 6m for the entire course.
The scratchings of Lord Of The Sky and Tavago hasn’t greatly affected the market for the Memsie Stakes with the Darren Weir trained horses still dominating the betting.
Black Heart Bart is still a clear favourite at $2.45 with stablemates Mahuta at $5.50 and Palentino at $8 next in the market order.
Market order for the Memsie Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au: $2.45 Black Heart Bart, $5.50 Mahuta, $8 Palentino, $12 Alpine Eagle, $13 Tarzino, $14 Sofia Rosa, $16 Rising Romance, $20 He Or She, $19 Charmed Harmony, $31 Tally, $26 Prince Of Penzance, $51 Tashbeeh.
