South Australian filly Kuroyanagi finds herself the $2.80 favourite for the $200,000 Group 3 Quezette Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday after the scratching of pre-post fancy Arabian Summer.
The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Arabian Summer was withdrawn on Thursday after the stable reported she was suffering with abscesses in both her back feet.
The latest setback comes after she was heavily backed at what was her scheduled return in the Listed Lightning Stakes in Adelaide last month when she broke through the starting gates pre-race and was scratched.
The Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea-trained Kuroyanagi was a big drifter before producing an eye-catching first-up run in the Lightning Stakes when narrowly beaten by Lingani and has drawn perfectly in barrier six in her first Victorian outing since she was placed behind Hayasugi in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield back in February.
"She has the right jockey in Jamie Kah and she's had the benefit of one run back from a spell," Clarken said.
"It's a small field but they should run along and she should be able to find a good spot. If she's good enough, she'll be in the finish,’’ he said.
Clarken is confident the filly will appreciate getting out in trip and said her spring campaign is likely to be dictated by Saturday’s feature.
"There's a million options for her over spring,’’ Clarken added.
