Two horses have been scratched from this Saturday’s $2.5 million Caulfield Cup (2400m) with Sydney stayer Zabrasive and the Danny O’Brien-trained Master O’Reilly ruled out of the handicap feature.
John O’Shea’s four-year-old Zabeel gelding Zabrasive, who won the Rosehill Guineas last season, will miss the 2010 Caulfield Cup and is set to be spelled for four months following veterinary advice after a leg injury.
O’Shea stated that if it wasn’t for the wet Caulfield track, Zabrasive would have started as the joint strain was only minor.
Flemington-based trainer O’Shea still has his Sydney Cup winning mare Jessicabeel in the Caulfield Cup field this year.
Five-year-old Jessicabeel is drawn wide with barrier 20 and is an $81 long-shot to win through Sportsbet.
With the scratching of Zabrasive, the Lloyd Williams-owned Mourayan gets a chance to start in the Caulfield Cup as the first emergency from barrier five, likely to move into barrier three.
At the 2010 Caulfield Cup barrier draw on Wednesday, connections of Mourayan said the Group 1 The Metropolitan runner-up would likely be scratched as the track was heading towards a 7 or 8 rating, which would be too soft for the Robert Hickmott-trained runner.
The other early scratching from the 2010 Caulfield Cup was veteran stayer Master O’Reilly.
Eight-year-old Master O’Reilly was ruled out yesterday after suffering a minor colic attack, for which he has now been treated for.
O’Brien will now aim Master O’Reilly at the Group 2 Moonee Valley Cup (2500m) Saturday week on Cox Plate Day.
In place of Master O’Reilly, who was set to start from barrier 10, Kiwi gelding Red Ruler now gains a start drawn on the rails and currently paying $151 to win through Sportsbet.
Following the scratchings the odds on the favourite, Melbourne Cup winner Shocking, have now shortened into $5.50.
Now is the time to back your favourites for the Caulfield Cup before they shorten further by signing up with premier online bookmaker Sportsbet!
Update: Third emergency Drunken Sailor is the third horse to be scratched from the 2010 Caulfield Cup with a hoof injury.
