Scarlett Lady will not be given the chance to emulate the mighty Kiwi mare Ethereal in winning the Caulfield Cup – Melbourne Cup double this year after news today that connections have withdrawn her from the remainder of the spring racing carnival due to injury.
Queensland Oaks winner Scarlett Lady has been ruled out of the remainder of the 2011 Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival
Winner of the Doomben Roses – Queensland Oaks double during the winter, like the former Sheila Laxon-trained champion Ethereal a decade ago, Savabeel four-year-old Scarlett Lady has been ruled out of racing again this season after bone chips were found in her knees.
Prepared by Graeme and Debbie Rogerson in New Zealand, Scarlett Lady had had two runs this spring resuming with a first-up seventh to Mufhasa in the Group 1 Challange Stakes (1400m) at Hastings in August before her last-start eighth to Melbourne Cup betting favourite Lion Tamer in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on September 17.
2012 Melbourne Cup Odds
Futures all-in betting showing top 24 horses.
The staying mare was one of the top fancies for both the $2.5 million Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 15 and the ‘race that stops the nation’, the $6.2 million Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on Tuesday November 1.
In the Caulfield Cup 2011 ante-post markets at Luxbet Scarlett Lady was rated the $8 second-elect behind Mark Kavanagh’s in-form import December Draw.
She was also well-liked in the pre-field betting for the 2011 Melbourne Cup at Luxbet paying $14 to win the world’s richest handicap.
Owned by Australian Turf Club director Max Whitby, who also owned her sire Savabeel, Scarlett Lady injured her leg during the Underwood Stakes run and needs minor surgery on the affected area.
“She has a bone chip that needs to be removed,” Whitby said.
“She got checked in the Underwood at Caulfield and we think that’s where it happened.
“She didn’t eat up the next day and we got vets in to treat her.
“The x-rays finally showed the chip which needs to be removed.
“It’s a minor problem that’s had a big impact but she will recover and be back bigger and better for the autumn.”
With Scarlett Lady out of contention, Caulfield Cup odds on top elect December Draw have firmed into $3.50 through Luxbet.
The last-start Naturalism Stakes winner is also the $10 second favourite behind Lion Tamer ($9) in the Melbourne Cup 2011 odds at Luxbet.
December Draw will get their chance to add to their impressive Australian racing record this weekend when they contest the $500,000 Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Sunday.
Another win by the five-year-old will see their price in both Caulfield and Melbourne Cup betting markets firm, so now is the time to get behind December Draw for the spring staying showdowns.
Head to our preferred online bookmaker Luxbet now and sign up quoting the codeword BONUSBET when you make your initial deposit to not only get access to the hottest spring carnival odds, but also to be instantly rewarded with a $400 bonus bet!
