Star sprinter in doubt for the G1 Kingsford Smith Cup
Bella Nipotina will have to pass a raceday veterinary examination before being permitted to start in Saturday’s $1 million Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm.
The Ciaron Maher-trained mare presented with an issue when the first round of vet tests were conducted on Friday morning.
Racing Queensland stewards deemed her to be showing signs of lameness, but will give her until race morning to determine her suitability to race in the 1300-metre event.
“Following this morning’s pre-race veterinary examination, (Bella Nipotina) was found to be lame in the near foreleg,” stewards posted on X on Friday morning.
“Will undergo a further examination tomorrow morning prior to scratching time.”
The Kingsford Smith Cup was scheduled to be the 50th start the six-year-old, a winner of eight races.
She registered the second Group 1 win of her career at her most recent outing in the Doomben 10,000.
Bella Nipotina sits alongside Think About It and Magic Time on the $6.50 third line of betting in the Kingsford Smith Cup with only $3.90 betting site favourite I Wish I Win and first-up mare In Secret ($5.50) ahead of her.
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