The Paul Perry-trained Ducale has been withdrawn from the Group 1 Schweppes Thousand Guineas (1600m) this Saturday at Caulfield by order of Racing Victoria (RV) stewards after the horse was accepted in error against the stable’s wishes.
An investigation into the circumstances that led to the error is still being undertaken by Racing Australia (RA), who administer the national online nominations and acceptance program (Stable Assist), and RV stewards. Preliminary inquiries indicate that a technical glitch within the online system is most likely to have led to Ducale being accepted for the Thousand Guineas this morning when the Perry stable did not intend to do so.
Given the circumstances regarding her withdrawal from the Thousand Guineas, RV stewards will permit Ducale to accept for Saturday’s Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield, which was the stable’s desired target and for which she was nominated yesterday. Acceptances for the Thoroughbred Club Stakes close at 9.30am tomorrow (Wednesday, 10 October) along with the remaining races at the Caulfield meeting.
Ducale, who had drawn barrier nine, was officially withdrawn from the Thousand Guineas at 2.06pm. All horses drawn outside her will move in one stall as per standard practice.