Rommel, Testashadow and Rod’s Opinion have all been scratched from the 2015 Australian Guineas that will be run at Flemington tomorrow afternoon.
Rommel has been scratched from the 2015 Australian Guineas due to filling in his near-side fetlock. Photo by: Sarah Ebbett
Testashadow was scratched from the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) yesterday, but trainer Gary Portelli has revealed that there is nothing physically wrong with the Testa Rossa colt.
Portelli said that Testashadow was not good enough to overcome the outside gate that he was allocated at the Australian Guineas barrier draw and he will instead be saved for the Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens next weekend.
“He’s just not good enough to win the race from that gate (16 of 16),” Portelli said.
“You’ve only got one option and that is to go back, and he can’t win the race coming from last.
“So, we’ll bring him home and save him for the Phar Lap Stakes next week over 1500.
Rommel had been one of the best-backed runners in 2015 Australian Guineas betting markets after he made his racing debut in Melbourne with a fast-finishing victory in the Group 3 Zeditave Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield last weekend, but trainer Neville Parnham informed Racing Victoria stewards that the three-year-old had filling in his near-side fetlock and would have to be removed from the race.
The scratching of Rommel means that Western Australia will be without a representative in the Australian Guineas after leading contender Disposition was withdrawn from contention earlier in the week after falling over during trackwork.
Rod’s Opinion was an extreme outside in 2015 Australian Guineas betting markets and has now been removed from the race after suffering a bout of colic.
The God’s Own gelding was set to step-up significantly in the Australian Guineas after he finished third behind Alpine Eagle in the Grow Up Handicap (1600m) at Morphettville on February 14 and third in the Corporate Events At Morphettville Handicap (1600m) at the same venue on February 28.
The scratchings of the three gallopers has not changed the Australian Guineas betting market with Ladbrokes significantly and Chris Waller-trained Kermadec ($3.40) remains a clear favourite to record a maiden win at Group 1 level.
Darren Weir-trained Stratum Star has been the market mover after being back from $12 into $8.50 and there has also been money for tough filly Fontein Ruby ($18 into $13), Autumn Classic winner Alpine Eagle ($7 into $6) and Gai Waterhouse-trained Wandjina ($9.50 into $8.50).
