However, this will not detract from the prestige of the great Gr 1 event as it is still full of quality and includes the three highest merit rated horses in the country.

Furthermore, while the scratching of the best three-year-old in the country Act Of War was the biggest blow to the big race, he will still be seen in action on the day in the Gr1 Investec Cape Derby and could now well be viewed as the  “meeting banker.”

Jet Belle, who was the only female incumbent in the top 20 of the final log, was another important scratching but has also not been lost to the meeting as she will run in the Gr 1 Klawervlei Majorca Stakes instead.

The J&B Met gallops will be held at Kenilworth racecourse from 07h00 on Thursday January 22. The Barrier Draw ceremony will follow the gallops and is due to start at 08h00. Both the gallops and the Barrier draw will be screened live on Tellytrack.

– Kenilworth Racing

*Images supplied by Kenilworth Racing