Favourite ruled out of Kentucky Derby
Todd Pletcher’s colt had been the ante-post favourite for the famous ‘Run For The Roses’ after a comeback victory at Gulfstream Park in February and success in the Wood Memorial Stakes at Aqueduct earlier this month.
“He’s got some filling,” said the trainer. “We’re not sure of the extent of what we’re dealing with. But he’s not going to run.”
Meanwhile, Able One won the Champions Mile at Sha Tin for a second time.
John Moore’s son of Cape Cross claimed the Group One contest in 2007 under Mick Kinane, and showed a comparable turn of foot three years later.
The talented eight-year-old was always handy in the hands of Darren Beadman as Dao Dao and Egyptian Ra set a generous pace.
Able One, who won a Group Two here earlier this month, then swept past the front-running duo 300 yards from home. Beadman still needed to work overtime, however, to repel the challenge of the fast-finishing Fellowship and Beauty Flash.
Presvis came home a fast-finishing fifth behind Viva Pataca in the Audemars Piguet QE II Cup at Sha Tin.
Luca Cumani’s six-year-old, attempting to win the Group One contest for a second successive year, was unsurprisingly anchored in the rear by Ryan Moore.
Yet despite making huge strides on the dash to the line, he never seriously looked like catching the legendary Viva Pataca, who claimed this race in 2007 under Mick Kinane and also finished second 12 months ago.
A thrilling three-way scrimmage ensued inside the final 200 yards, but John Moore’s prolific scorer seized the day under Weichong Marwing, with Lizard’s Desire second and Super Satin third.
