Doubts over the fitness of three Magic Millions Classic runners has prompted Gary Portelli to put Zafina on a float bound for the Gold Coast.
The Warwick Farm trainer had given up hope the filly would gain a start in the $2 million race after she finished second in a maiden at Gosford on December 29.
She is the second emergency in Saturday’s Classic with Sundance, Conchita and Dieters all under scrutiny from Queensland stewards.
Portelli confirmed the filly would be sent north on Thursday evening.
The Toby Edmonds-trained Sundance is recovering from a hoof abscess while a Racing Queensland vet expressed concerns over the action of the Paul Perry-trained Conchita regarding her off hind leg.
The vet also said an examination of Dieters, from the Jason McLachlan stable, revealed soreness in the colt’s front legs.
All three will be examined again on Friday.
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Capitalist remains the odds-on favourite while another of their runners, Mooshakissa, will now be ridden by Damien Oliver with Mark Zahra opting to begin a suspension from Sandown on Wednesday immediately.
Cradle Me has been scratched from the $1 million Fillies and Mares (1300m), reportedly suffering from colic.
