By Jordan Gerrans
The Wayne Scott kennel will pin their Group 1 Gold Bullion hopes on Mayoress after the prolific Farmor Beach was scratched from Thursday’s heats.
Despite Farmor Beach’s recent indifferent form, the winner of 16 career races from 27 starts was set to be a serious player in the Gold Bullion final heats on Thursday evening at Albion Park.
The winner in each of the four heats progress to the Group 1 Gold Bullion final, with $150,000 going to the winner of the Group 1 show-piece.
With Rob Jacobsen’s Crazy Cool already locked in for next Thursday with the Golden Ticket that was won last week, the fastest three second place finishers will advance to the final, as well.
Farmor Beach (pictured above) had not won in his last three efforts but put together an outstanding record before that, winning 10 of his last 11 starts.
A slight toe concern will put Farmor Beach on the sidelines in the short term.
He suffered the injury on Tuesday, had it evaluated on Wednesday morning and was therefore scratched from Thursday’s heat.
Co-trainer of Farmor Beach, Steve Scott, who trains with his father Wayne, says he is a “cracking dog” and did not want to take any risks with the winner of almost $200,000 in career prize money.
“He will have a let up now and let it all heal up,” Steve said.
“He did it a couple of weeks ago, but we were trying everything to try and get the dog right, but it was not quite right.
“We do not run dogs if they are not 100 per cent so we pulled the pin on it.
“He has been up for a while, so we can give him a rest now and see what happens later in the year.”