Contributer (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}), the odds-on favorite for Saturday's G1 Queen Elizabeth II S., was reported by Godolphin head trainer John O'Shea to be lame in his off fore leg Friday afternoon and was subsequently scratched from the race. O'Shea commented, “We'll know more in the next few days but we're hoping for a successful Spring campaign with him.” With the dual Group 1 winner out of the A$4 million contest, Japanese raider To The World (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), runner-up to Sydney Cup favorite Hartnell (GB) (Authorized {Ire}) in the G1 BMW last time out, was promoted to the top of the betting market alongside David Hayes and Tom Dabernig's Criterion (NZ) (Sebring {Aus}), whose latest effort was a short-head second to Real Impact (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the G1 George Ryder S.
Two late withdrawals were also recorded in the G1 Australian Oaks as Fenway (Aus) (High Chaparral {Ire}), winner of the G1 Vinery Stud S. last time out was found to be lame, and Gai Waterhouse's Adrift (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) suffered from swelling in one of her hind legs.
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