Pre-race favourite Pierata has been scratched from the 2018 Group 2 $200,000 Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday after failing to pass a vet check.

Pierata, above, is out of the 2018 Tramway Stakes after failing a vet’s check. Photo by Steve Hart.

Pierata was found to be lame on Friday morning and Racing New South Wales Stewards ordered a vet’s inspection after trained Greg Hickman notified them.

Racing NSW Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Toby Koenig, ran his eye over Pierata this afternoon and found him to be unfit to take his place in the Tramway Stakes after discovering swelling and heat in his off foreleg cannon bone as well as being lame.

Racing New South Wales released the following statement regarding the withdrawal of Pierata.

“Racing NSW Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Toby Koenig, has completed a veterinary inspection of Pierata and found the horse to have swelling and heat in the off-foreleg cannon region (not near-fore as previously reported) and to be currently lame in that leg.

“Dr Koenig has recommended the withdrawal of the horse from tomorrow’s meeting and accordingly, Pierata has been withdrawn from the Tramway Stakes. Mr Hickman was advised the horse will require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.”

Prior to his withdrawal, Pierata was the $3.40 favourite for the Tramway Stakes with Ladbrokes.com.au who now have the Kris Lees trained Le Romain as the top pick at $2.90 ahead of Lanciato $5.50 and Tom Melbourne at $6.

Le Romain will now move into barrier nine with Hugh Bowman back in the saddle replacing James McDonald who was aboard the six year old for his win in the Group 3 $150,000 Nexon Show County Quality (1200m) at Randwick on August 18.