Injury forces Eremein to miss Derby | Australia Melbourne Cup and Racing News
Injury forces Eremein to miss Derby
The AJC Derby winner and leading contender for three-year-old of the year honours was a certain to go into this weekend’s derby at hot favourite after his impressive deeds this autumn in Sydney - earning almost $2 million despite narrowly missing the autumn triple crown.
Trainer Allan Denham said yesterday that an X-ray had shown that the injury was minor but it meant the horse needed an operation.
“It is a bit devastating”, said part-owner and breeder Geoff White. “Allan flexed his legs on Sunday and it didn’t look too good. It’s not too serious, but it’s enough for him not to race.”
Eremein began his impressive autumn season as an unlucky runner-up (beaten a half-neck) behind Jymcarew in the Canterbury Guineas before winning the Rosehill Guineas and AJC Derby. A six-week spell followed, then Eremein strolled away with the Queensland Guineas before last Saturday being nosed out by Lloyd Williams’ Zabeel gelding Activation in the Rough Habit Plate. Activation, as expected, was missing yesterday from the derby’s first declarations.
In what is shaping as the most interesting category, Eremein is one of several youngsters who could snatch the honours for three-year-old of the season. He is joined in the category by Victoria Derby winner Plastered and sprint stars Alinghi and Fastnet Rock.
Running at Sandown today are three horses who can stake their claims for the Queensland Derby when they contest the Reveille Handicap (2100m). Alto Adige, Cusp and Force Nine were among 32 horses paid up for at first acceptances yesterday.
Other contenders to sign up yesterday included Peter Moody’s Precious Future, and Physique, trained by Robert Smerdon.
