In a heartbreaking blow for connections, Great News has suffered a foot injury, ruling her out of the $500,000 Provincial Championships Final at Randwick.
Trainer Kim Waugh advised stewards on Friday that the mare had sustained a crack to her off-fore hoof, which had caused bruising and a pulse, forcing her withdrawal from the race.
Great News had been a popular favourite following her outstanding win in the qualifying race at Gosford two starts ago and her scratching leaves Waugh without a runner.
In a rejigged market, the Paul Perry-trained Pandano is the new top pick with TAB fixed odds at +200, ahead of the Kris Lees-trained pair of Cristal Breeze (+600) and Animate (+800).
First emergency High Court has now been elevated into the field and is a +7000 chance for trainer Jeff Englebrecht.