DAVID LODER has finally pulled Pertemps 1,000 Guineas second favourite Blue Duster out of the big race after she failed to sparkle during her build up for the fillies' Classic on May 5th.
And one of her main rivals, the Criquette Head trained A Votre Sante will be aimed at the French equivilant leaving the Henry Cecil trained Bosra Sham long odds on to take the one mile event.
Anthony Stroud, racing manager for Sheikh Mohammed, confirmed the disappointing news of Blue Duster, in doing so substantiating the negative vibes which had surrounded the filly since the start of the weekend.
"The filly is not going to run in the 1,000 Guineas," Stroud said. "Sheikh Mohammed respects the wishes of David Loder and whilst he is very sorry for all connected with the horse, this is the right decision for the horse."
Loder yesterday denied rumours, circulating in the light of Blue Duster's withdrawal from the field, that the filly had not trained on. Clarifying the situation, Loder said. "I know it's been reported that she hasn't trained on but she's really been fine".
"The problem has been that she has suffered a recurrence of a back problem which troubled her last season. It didn't interfere with her runs last year, but this year it has reared up at the wrong moment."
Blue Duster looked a real prospect last season when landing four races culminating in an impressive display in the Shadwell Stud Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket, but alarm bells started ringing at Loder's yard last week after the filly worked at Newbury after racing.
Loder, however, was confident about her chances of overcoming this setback.
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