The Danny Walker-trained On Display (NZ) (Showcasing) did not accept for Sunday’s Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) on Wednesday after a foot issue was discovered on Tuesday night.
Placed in both the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1600m) and Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) On Display had been a late nomination for the Derby on Tuesday.
“Last night he was a little bit off in a foot. We bathed it and thought it might have been an errant nail but this morning he was worse,” Walker said.
“We have x-rayed and he has basically got a bruised foot.
“It is a deep-seated bruise, and it is going to take three or four days bathing, so I decided to pull the pin now. You have got to be 100 percent in a Derby.
“It is the way it goes with horses.”
A field of 14 has accepted for the $1 million feature, where Rocket Spade ($3.60) and Montre Moi ($3.80) head the market.