English galloper Dandino made the voyage to Australia aiming to go one better in this year’s Caulfield Cup after running second in the 2013 edition.
Those plans have come to a grinding halt with the disappointing announcement that the Marco Botti– trained stayer is lame in the offside foreleg and has been scratched from this Saturday’s race.
It was reported that Dandino pulled up sore after a track gallop, with scans to be performed this afternoon to discover the full extent of the injury.
Dandino had drifted in pre-post betting out to $17 with Sportingbet after drawing barrier 22 in the Caulfield Cup.
The Kris Lees- trained Lucia Valentina remains the favourite and is presently $4.60 with Sportingbet. Japanese galloper Bande is a clear second elect and has been heavily supported, currently showing odds of $7.50 with Sportingbet.
Brambles, trained by Peter Moody, will now get a start in the Caulfield Cup and is now at odds of $13 with Sportingbet.
Dandino’s injury could not have come at a worse time for connections. The UK raider is also nominated for the Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday in November with a start in the Nation’s most prestigious feature now uncertain.
Dandino is rated a $13 chance with Sportingbet. to take out the Melbourne Cup.
German stayer Protectionist still heads the betting at $8 with Sportingbet. after his fourth in last Saturday’s G2 Herbert Power Handicap.