Newmarket Handicap hopeful Bel Sprinter has been scratched from the $1m Group 1 at Flemington today.
Mornington trainer Jason Warren was forced to withdraw Bel Sprinter on vet’s advice after the four year old was cleared after another injury scare earlier in the week.
Warren had to gallop Bel Sprinter for stewards on Tuesday morning at Mornington after he informed them that the gelding had sustained minor leg injuries while playing in his yard at his Balnarring property.
Bel Sprinter had a solid gallop and was given the all clear to run before a second problem appeared.
“He’s just got a superficial mark on the outside of a hind leg and we covered it up in pretty much the same wrap that he’ll have to wear on race day,” Warren said after Tuesday’s gallop.
Bel Sprinter was $7 second favourite before his scratching and now has left Hay List a dominate favourite at $3.70 with Sydney sprinter Rain Affair firming up slightly to $6.
Americain remains the clear cut favourite in the Group 1 $1m Dubai Australian Cup (2000m) at $2.50 after Lucas Cranach was scratched yesterday with a sesamoid injury which will require surgery.
The Flemington track was been rated a Dead 4 for today with the nineteen millimetres of irrigation during the week with the rail out three metres for the entire course.
