In a blow for Cranbourne-based trainer Nikki Burke her recent stable acquisition Shellscrape has been withdrawn from Saturday’s The Goodwood 2013 field and markets due to a foot abscess.
Previously prepared in Sydney by Chris Waller where the Dane Shadow stallion’s biggest win came in the 2010 The Galaxy, the now six-year-old galloper was bought back off a two year hiatus from racing into Burke’s care earlier this year.
During their time away the former retiree was a failure at stud with a rare genetic disorder seeing nearly a third of his foals born without a tail.
Their first run in over 24 months came at Morphettville on April 27 where a big weight (58kg) and bad gate (12 of 13) saw them finish a well beaten 10th to General Truce in the Group 3 DC McKay Stakes (1100m).
They were to get their chance to atone second-up returning to the track this weekend for the $500,000 Group 1 The Distinctive Homes Goodwood (1200m).
Shellscrape was rated a $61 roughie in The Goodwood odds based on their poor lead-up run even though they had a great barrier (2) and dropped back to 54.5kg with Dwayne Dunn to ride.
Dunn is without a mount in the 2013 The Goodwood now however after Burke officially scratched her horse from the field on Thursday due to a minor setback that they couldn’t recover from in time.
“It’s just a pain in the bum,” Burke said.
“He’s still hopping.
“We thought we could get him right, but there’s more infection which has come out.
“Hopefully he’ll run at Flemington next Saturday.”
There has been little change in The Goodwood betting markets over the past few days with Peter Moody’s Group 1 winner Moment Of Change still the $2.10 favourite at bookmaker.com.au.
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