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.
