New Zealand three year old Ocean Park won’t run in today’s Group 1 $1.5m David Jones Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick after trainer Gary Hennessy detected swelling in one of his joints.
Ocean Park was vying for favouritism with Kiwi filly Silent Achiever and the Gai Waterhouse trained Laser Hawk, but will fly back home to New Zealand early next week to have the leg scanned.
Connections of Ocean Park are very disappointed after paying a $40,000 late entry fee to secure a place in the Australian Derby after running a great race when second to Laser Hawk in the Group 1 $500,000 Flinders Lane Rosehill Guineas (2000m) at Rosehill on March 31.
The scratching of Ocean Park today is the second time the colt has been withdrawn from a Derby after Hennessey decided against a start in the Group 1 NZ$750,000 Telecom New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie on March 3 won by Silent Achiever because of a wet track.
Ocean Park’s preparation for today’s Derby was going along fine after the colt pleased Hennessey in his work early in the week.
With the scratching of Ocean Park, Silent Achiever remains the favourite at $2.90 just ahead of Rosehill Guineas winner Laser Hawk at $3.20. Rekindled Alliance and Strike The Stars share the next line of betting at $11 ahead of Polish Knight at $12.
