Unbeaten colt ruled out of spring

Image: Bruno Cannatelli

Brutal has been ruled out of the Spring Carnival

One of the top Group One prospects has been ruled out of the Spring Carnival with connections opting to spell unbeaten colt Brutal after suffering a slight hock injury.

The one-time Caulfield Guineas favourite will now set his sights on Autumn where it’s hoped he will return as a more complete racehorse.

Co-trainer Wayne Hawkes said last week that connections had already decided to target the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on November 3 instead of this month’s 1600m Caulfield Guineas.

Brutal, unbeaten in three starts, was on the third line of betting in the Coolmore Stud Stakes market at $6.50.