Brilliant Sydney colt Scandalman will miss Friday night's Gold Coast Derby.
The Victoria Derby winner has a very minor hoof infection which has left connections with no option but to miss the Group 3 $30,000 Gold Coast Derby at Parklands.
“It's nothing major. It's just very minor but when your dealing with a horse of his calibre, you must do the right thing and missing the Gold Coast feature is the obvious and right thing to do.” Regular reinsman Jimmy Douglass said.
Connections intend on being in Brisbane for the Group 3 $30,000 Slipnslide at Albion Park on July 14 followed by the Group 1 $100,000 Knudsen's Betta Home Living Queensland Derby on July 21.
Scandalman has not raced since finishing ninth behind Smolda in the Group 1 $NZ150,000 Emerald Final on Harness Jewels Day at Cambridge last month.
“He did come home from New Zealand a little tired and jaded but Ian (Wilson – trainer) and I have very pleased with his work since he had a little freshen up.
The two races at Albion Park are still very much on our radar but we couldn't start him this week. The Slipnslide should really bring him on for the Derby the following week and that's the main target with the Brisbane campaign.
Winning the Victoria Derby was an absolute highlight but winning the Queensland Derby would really cap a wonderful season for him and I think he deserves that. He's done a remarkable job all season long and he's tried his guts out every time he's stepped onto a racetrack.”
Meanwhile, Victorian trained three-year-old's Chancellor Cullen and Regal Knight enhanced their chances of Queensland Derby glory with strong performances across the weekend.
Chancellor Cullen thrashed his rivals at Cranbourne on Saturday night for new trainer Dean Braun while Regal Knight scored an expected victory at Geelong the following night for trainer Andy Gath.
Both horses have been confirmed as Queensland Derby raiders on July 21.
RACING Qld web news by Chris Barsby
