Upset winner of last month’s Ranvet Stakes in Sydney, the Anthony Cummings-trained warhorse Zavite has been scratched from Saturday’s Doomben Cup in Brisbane.
Zavite (Inside) has been scratched from Saturday's Doomben Cup
The rising nine-year-old Zabeel gelding claimed a devastatingly close win in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) as a $101 roughie three starts back before two unplaced runs in The BMW and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Cummings earlier in the week suggested that it was his other $500,000 Group 1 Doomben Cup (2020m) acceptor Shadows In The Sun who could be withdrawn if there was any chance of rain at the track on Saturday.
However, today Cummings had to scratch Zavite from the event due to a knee injury, reporting the withdrawal to Racing Queensland Limited stewards following veterinary advice.
Zavite, who was a $21 Doomben Cup chance before being found to be lame in the near fore leg, has been immediately spelled leaving a nine-horse field for the Doomben Cup this year.
The scratching leaves former Melbourne Cup winning jockey Chris Munce without a mount in the major race on the Doomben card this Saturday.
Munce is still booked for five rides on the eight-race card including the Gillian Heinrich-trained Internal Revenue in the $175,000 Group 2 Champagne Classic (1200m).
Imported stayers Glass Harmonium and My Kingdom Of Fife are now the equal $3.80 favourites in the latest Doomben Cup markets, while Cummings’ remaining representative, SA Derby winner Shadows In The Sun is the $31 outsider.
