Aidan O’Brien’s international mare Magic Wand has been withdrawn from tomorrow morning’s Group 1 Ladbrokes Cox Plate at Moonee Valley. As a result, Buckhurst will get to run in the weight for age contest.
Racing Victoria officials said yesterday that both Magic Wand and Armory would have to pass a veterinary test before participation in the Group 1 contest.
Magic Wand, fourth in the race last year before winning the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes, is out due to lameness in her off-fore leg.
It is better news for her stablemate Armory, who was also under an injury cloud, as he has been cleared to run.
Armory was third behind Magical and Ghaiyyath in the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown in September. He has been towards the top of the Cox Plate betting market since.
With Magic Wand now out, Joseph O’Brien’s Buckhurst will make the field.
The Lloyd Williams-owned horse was controversially made first reserve for the race earlier in the week. He will be ridden by Jamie Kah in Saturday’s feature race at Moonee Valley.
The 14-runner Group 1 is off at 6.10am Irish time on Saturday morning.
The Ladbrokes Cox Plate 2020 can be viewed live on www.racing.com.
