The well-performed Lauraella has injured a leg and indications are that she will not race again this season.
Geoff Small, her Patumahoe trainer, has received veterinarian advice that Lauraella has injured a tendon.
She was in Christchurch preparing for the New Zealand Breeders' Stakes at Addington tomorrow night.
"We won't really know until we get her home and see how it looks when it is settled down," Small said.
"But indications are it isn't very good and that she is unlikely to race for the rest of the season."
Lauraella, winner of the New Zealand Oaks, Sires' Stakes Final and Yearling Sales Pace, all at Addington as a 3yr-old last season, finished third to Lightning Raider and Joyfulfoy in the Pelorus Classic at Waterlea on January 17 at her last start.
It was her fourth start this season since she resumed racing in December.
Lauraella is the third defection from the ranks of top mares this season.
The others are Kiwi Ingenuity and Nearea Franco.
- Blacks A Fake, who is preparing for the Interdominion, won easily at the Gold Coast on Tuesday.
He rated 1.56.2 for the 2100m (mobile) in the $A4190 race.
It was his 58th win.
Blacks A Fake was driven by Grant Dixon, husband of trainer, Natalie Rasmussen.
She is is under suspension.
It is the first time in 79 starts that Rasmussen has not driven Blacks A Fake.
The 9yr-old Blacks A Fake has bounced back from a poor effort in the Miracle Mile in December.
He finished third in the Victoria Cup and won in a 1.54.9 mile rate at the Gold Coast on January 29.
Blacks A Fake is attempting to qualify for the Interdominion Final for the fifth time.
Caduceus is the only pacer to achieve the feat.
He won at his fifth attempt at Harold Park in 1960 as a 9yr-old.
Blacks A Fake has won the final at Hobart (2006), Adelaide (2007) and Melbourne (2008).
- Bettor's Strike, winner of the Victoria, Tasmania and Cranbourne Cups in the past two months, returned to New Zealand on Sunday.
He is due back at the West Melton stable of his trainer, Cran Dalgety today.
Bettor's Strike, who was unplaced in the Hunter Cup at Moonee Valley, will bypass the Interdominion and be prepared for the Auckland Cup on March 12.
- Lord Forbes continued his preparation for the Waikouaiti Cup on Sunday with success at the Wyndham trials yesterday.
He ran his last 800m in 56.3 and final 400 in 27.7.
