The early scratching of top fancy Luvaluva has forced changes in the betting for the 2018 Group 1 $500,000 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

Luvaluva, above in the blue, white and green colours, has been scratched from the Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.

Trainer John Sargent notified Racing New South Wales Stewards that Luvaluva had an elevated white cell count and was subsequently scratched from the Group 1 for the three year old fillies.

Racing New South Wales released the following statement regarding Luvaluva’s withdrawal.

“Trainer John Sargent has advised Racing NSW Stewards that Luvaluva has been withdrawn from the Vinery Stud Stakes on a vet’s certificate.

“Mr Sargent has reported the filly was found during a routine health assessment to have an elevated white cell count.”

The scratching of Luvaluva, who was on the third line of betting with Alizee at $6.50, has seen bookies at Ladbrokes.com.au tighten in the favourite Unforgotten from $4.80 to $4.40 with Aloisia and Alizee are now marked at $5.50 for the Vinery Stud Stakes.

Luvaluva was in winning form heading into the Vinery Stud Stakes after hitting the line hard to claim the Group 3 $200,000 Carlton Draught Kembla Grange Classic (1600m) at Kembla Grange on March 16.

Kerrin McEvoy is the new rider on the Chris Waller trained Unforgotten after Hugh Bowman, who was booked to ride the Fastnet Rock filly, has been stood down from riding after suffering from a virus that will keep him out of the saddle for almost two weeks.

Unforgotten was back to her best and earned favouritism for the Vinery Stud Stakes with her win in the Group 2 $200,000 Chandon S Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on March 17.