Corowa trainer Geoff Duryea has scratched star galloper Front Page from Saturday's rich The Kosciuszko at Randwick, citing a ligament injury to a hind leg.
The stable announced on Twitter shortly after midday Thursday that the joint-topweight for the $1.3 million sprint "has hurt himself and has been scratched from The Kosciuszko. We are broken."
Duryea Racing alluded to last year's injury to Front Page when the gelding was already on the way to Sydney, saying "Does lightning strike twice? Apparently!"
It's also another blow for hundreds of members of Wagga's Farrer Hotel Super Punters Club (SPC) which had teamed up with the Southern District hope for the second year running.
The SPC also had its first choice scratched the first time it drew a slot in the race, in 2018.
"Disappointed mate. Disappointed. It's just bad luck. I cannot believe it, our bad luck with (The Kosciuszko)," SPC manager David Barnhill said.
"But that's the way it works. We'll just have to regroup.
"He's had back luck with the horse. It's unfortunate for their syndicate of owners and a bit of bad luck for our punters club.
"But life goes on."
Racing NSW stewards said Geoff Duryea advised that Front Page was found to have sustained a ligament injury to the near-hind leg.
The SPC will now need to choose from one of the four emergencies in the race, which includes the Gary Colvin-trained Another One.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Front Page had drifted to $9.50 in betting after drawing gate 14 at Wednesday's barrier draw.
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