Three-year-old Cuanzo may not be running in the race his connections had hoped but the gelding can still impress in the Group 3 Lee Steere Classic (1400m) on Saturday.

After running third behind Disposition and Rommel in the Listed Fairetha Stakes (1400m) on November 8, Cuanzo was all set to deliver up his revenge in the Group 2 WA Guineas (1600m) a fortnight later.

The gelding drew well in barrier three and looked set to be a contender in the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m) lead-up race but was unfortunately scratched following a health scare.

Cuanzo suffered a leg infection, which trainer Eric Wake has since revealed was due to a bite. However he has luckily undergone a quick recovery, which means he is fit enough to run on Saturday.

“Cuanzo was bitten by something – maybe a spider – because his hind leg just blew up,” Wake told Perth Racing.

“It kept him out of the Guineas but he only missed a couple days of work, so it was nothing major.

“He was pretty fit beforehand getting ready for the mile and he’s come through it all good.”

Unfortunately Cuanzo won’t get as good a start as he was set to get in the WA Guineas after drawing barrier nine of ten.

Despite being the highest rated horse in the field, Cuanzo will meet his fellow colts and geldings at the set weight of 56.5kg, conceding two kilograms to the two filles. He has only finished outside the first three in one of his seven career starts.

Wake suffered another blow to his Perth Summer Racing Campaign after he was forced to abandon sprint plans with Dueton when he finished last in the Group 3 Colonel Reeves Stakes (1100m) last month.

“Dueton had been up for a while and needed a spell,” Wake said.

Betting markets for the 2014 Lee Steere Classic will open at Ladbrokes.com.au shortly so make sure your online betting account is open and ready to go.