.jpg)
Pre-race favourite Tornado Valley has been withdrawn from tonight's Woodlands Great Southern Star after a vets examination revealed sorness on the morning of the $250,000 feature.
Trainer Andy Gath reported his brilliant gelding, who has won 18 of 22 since crossing to their stable including December's TAB Inter Dominion, had swelling in his near hind-leg to Stewards on Friday.
Tornado Valley then underwent a veterinary examination by the stable veterinarian Friday evening, where, in the presence of a HRV Steward, blood samples were taken from the gelding to detect whether infection may be a factor.
This morning stewards reported the gelding had been found to be lame and sore upon examination and was subsequently scratched from tonight's feature.
The announcement prompted significant reaction on social media:
Feel hugely for @apgath68 this morning with his outstanding trotter Tornado Valley scratched from the Great Southern Star. Horses like him and races like this don't come around very often.
— Jason Bonnington (@JasonBonnington) January 25, 2019
Marcoola’s driver Clint Ford says he really feels for Andy Gath with arch rival Tornado Valley scratched. “I’m disappointed for him, you never like to see a good horse have to be pulled out of a race. We are thrilled Amaretto Sun gets a start but I still really feel for them”
— Michael Guerin (@GuerinSports) January 25, 2019
New Great Southern Star market with scratching of $1.50 fav Tornado Valley @tabcomau ... Gee Marcoola seems very short now. #trots pic.twitter.com/XuFiQwl4a4
— Adam Hamilton (@AdamTABSports) January 25, 2019