Dodger Misses NT Derby With Tendon Injury

Thursday, 24 July 2003 00:00

Last start Darwin Guineas runner up has been forced out of Saturday's $71,250 MGM Grand Darwin NT Derby (2000m) at Fannie Bay after going amiss.

The Tony McEvoy prepared three-year-old broke down during his final serious workout for the Derby on Tuesday morning.

McEvoy said the gelding, who was formerly raced by the Group One Racing Club, would return to South Australia shortly.

"It is a great shame," McEvoy said of the injury. "His last start was very good and he looked a great chance of winning the race."

McEvoy was aiming for back to back wins in the Derby. He won the race last year with Young Challenger.

Dodger, a son of Bluebird, will return to South Australia for an injury enforced spell.

"We are going to get him home straight away," McEvoy added. "So this is the end of this preparation."

The extent of the tendon injury will be analysed when properly scanned by Lindsay Park based veterinarian Campbell Baker.

"I doubt it is career threatening," McEvoy said.