Saturday’s Doncaster Mile has been reduced by three with the scratchings of Victorian-trained pair King’s Rose and Rekindled Interest, along with local gelding Single.
Their withdrawal has opened the door for the two emergencies, Happy Trails and All Legal, to gain starts.
King’s Rose was withdrawn on Thursday after her Hong Kong-based owner decided to accept an invitation to run in the Group One Champions Mile at Sha Tin on May 6.
Trainer Jim Conlan had been on weather watch with Rekindled Interest and decided to pull the pin on Thursday due to the heavy track.
Conlan said the George Ryder Stakes runner-up would be saved for the weight-for-age Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday week.
Rekindled Interest was a $13 chance while King’s Rose had been at $15.
Single, a $35 chance, was withdrawn on veterinary advice after injuring his off-hind leg.
There has also been some jockey shuffling as a result of the scratchings.
While Kathy O’Hara was already booked for All Legal, Jay Ford has picked up the mount on the Adelaide-trained Happy Trails.
Mick Kent, trainer of Absolutely, snapped up Luke Nolen when he became available following the withdrawal of King’s Rose.
Absolutely won the Australian Oaks on a very heavy track last year and looks set to get those conditions on Saturday.
Nolen has been cleared to ride Absolutely a half-kilo overweight at 52.5kg.
