The Everest has been dealt a major blow on the morning of the race with second-favourite Lost and Running a late scratch due to an injury.
The 1200m race is named Australia’s richest race with an eye-watering total prize pool of $15 million, but trainer John O’Shea’s star horse, who finished fourth in last year’s race, will not take to the track on Saturday.
Lost and Running’s omission was confirmed by Racing New South Wales on Saturday morning.
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“A vet inspection of Lost And Running this morning has found Lost And Running to be lame in the off hind leg and unsuitable to start in The Everest,” the statement read.
“Lost And Running has been scratched from The Everest. TAB has selected Kementari as the replacement which will start from barrier 7.”
Racing NSW’s Chief Vet, Dr Peter Curl, led the examination of the gelding on Saturday morning after O’Shea had reported a skin irritation on the same leg to stewards on Friday night.
Lost and Running was the second-favourite behind reigning Everest winner, the Chris Waller-trained Nature Strip, and Waller expressed his sympathy after the scratch.
“It’s heartbreaking for those connections, the trainer, the strapper, the jockey, and I feel for them,” Waller told Nine’s TODAY.
“I felt that pressure yesterday and that’s why I say getting to today with a happy horse is the key.
“It’s terrible and there’s a replacement horse that comes in, which is great for their connections, but it’s heartbreaking for the connections of Lost and Running.”
Today’s a bit of a relief to just get to the day. Like any athlete, whether it be an equine or a human, getting to the actual event is the toughest thing for the coach. He’s strutting out soundly and everything is in order for this afternoon.
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