Colt into Cox Plate with Jewel scratching

Gun colt Shamus Award will line up in the $3 million Cox Plate on Saturday at Moonee Valley after the shock scratching of Atlantic Jewel, who has a tendon injury.

Upon cooling down after working this morning, Atlantic Jewel had swelling and scans revealed damage to a flexor tendon. She had been the $2.80 favourite and trainer Mark Kavanagh and the connections were shattered.

Earlier, there were 15 acceptors for the Cox Plate which has a capacity field of 14 with Shamus Award the emergency, but Danny O'Brien trained three-year-old will now get a start with the withdrawal of Atlantic Jewel.

The Snitzel colt is still a maiden, but he has raced in black-type racing his entire career and at his past two start has placed at Group 2 and Group 1 level.

His run in the Caulfield Guineas was outstanding and he was considered unlucky to not test the winner Long John, who is also lining up in the Cox Plate, after ending up last on the turn before storming into third place.

Connections able to choose the barriers for the weigh-for-age showdown, with Atlantic Jewel owner Coolmore's Michael Kirwan opted for seven when the mare's name was the third out of the barrel.

It's A Dundeel, the only horse to beat Atlantic Jewel, was one of the last out and trainer Murray Baker had few options and chose 13.

The Gai Waterhouse-trained Fiorente has the outside alley, while O'Brien was able to select barrier 3 for Shamus Award, who is a $21 chance is the revised betting markets.

Story by Brendan Cormick, to view full The Australian story click here

Photo by Bruno Cannatelli, to view Bruno's website click here