Favourite in doubt for Country Championships Final

Bandi's Boy is in some doubt to take his place in Saturday's Country Championships Final (1400m) at Randwick.

Trainer Danny Williams revealed the four-year-old gelding was inspected by Racing NSW Vets on Tuesday and will need to be examined again on Friday before being cleared to run.

"Bandi's Boy was inspected by Racing NSW vets on Tuesday to ensure his suitability to run in Saturday's Country Championships Final," Williams posted on X.

"He was found to exhibit some mild lameness in his NF (near fore) foot which appears to be an abscess coming through his win in the Group 3 Star Kingdom.

Bandi's Boy causes an upset in the Star Kingdom! Ã°ÂŸÂ˜Â±

What a result for Jay Ford and Danny Williams. Ã°ÂŸÂ‘ÂÂ@GoulburnTrainer pic.twitter.com/R4AQGqcg2C

- 7HorseRacing Ã°ÂŸÂÂÂÅ½ (@7horseracing) March 30, 2024

"We are happy with the horse and the progress of his treatment, as seen in this video of him this afternoon, and are confident he is on track to take his place in the Final."

Press Release:

BANDI'S BOY was inspected by Racing NSW vets on Tuesday to ensure his suitability to run in Saturday's Country Champs Final

He was found to exhibit some mild lameness in his NF foot which appears to be an abscess coming through his win in the G3 Star Kingdom. pic.twitter.com/WtRbrfOGfh

- Danny Williams (@GoulburnTrainer) April 3, 2024

TAB posted Bandi's Boy as the $2.40 favourite following an impressive win in last Saturday's Star Kingdom Stakes at Rosehill.

Williams has two runners in Saturday's Final, restricted to country-trained horses, with Atmospheric Rock ($17) set to be partnered by Jason Collett.

Meanwhile, Tribeca Star as well as Elson Boy were also showing mild near-fore lameness on Tuesday but both of their conditions continue to improve.

"Racing NSW Veterinary Officers will continue to monitor the aforementioned horses which will be the subject of a further veterinary assessment on Friday 5 April. A further update will be provided when available," a Racing NSW statement said.

READ: Randwick The Championships Day 1 Preview - Two $34 roughies

Randwick Race 5 Form Guide WIN PLACE
Newhaven Park Country Championships Final (1400m)
9th 1 Bandi's Boy (1) Jay Ford 59.0kg	2.2	2.2	2.2	2.25	2.3	26	2.44	2.3	2.4	2.25	2.3	2.3
5th 2 Bianco Vilano (16) Craig Williams 59.0kg	16	16	17	16	16	6.4	21	18	15.2	16	16	16
15th 3 Russley Crown (9) Joshua Parr 57.5kg	21	19	23	19	20	7.2	27	21	17.6	21	20	20
10th 4 Auzstar (13) Tyler Schiller 57.5kg	61	51	71	61	61	3	75	61	59	51	67	61
14th 6 That's Molly (4) Ashley Morgan 57.0kg	41	35	41	41	41	2.54	60	41	39	41	51	41
6th 7 Tribeca Star (11) Nash Rawiller 57.0kg (a0.5)	9	8	8.5	8.5	9	8	900	9	8.3	9	9	9
4th 8 Rainbow Connection (7) Blake Shinn 56.0kg	19	21	23	18	20	4.8	28	20	17.6	20	20	20
12th 9 Sharp Shock (5) Reece Jones 56.0kg	16	14	16	15	14	100	18.5	15	14.4	15	14	14
2nd 10 Gallant Star (10) Sam Clipperton 56.0kg	12	12	13	11	11	5	15.5	11	11	12	12	11
8th 11 Associate (3) Zac Lloyd 56.0kg	16	15	17	13	14	18.5	20	12	14.2	15	16	14
7th 12 Atmospheric Rock (15) Jason Collett 56.0kg	13	13	15	13	13	7	16	13	13	14	13	13
1st 13 Asgarda (6) Kayla Nisbet 54.0kg	26	27	31	26	26	38	1.1	19	28	26	29	26
3rd 14 Rapbidash (14) Tommy Berry 54.0kg	21	19	21	19	19	6	26	21	18.4	20	19	19
13th 15 Musical Affair (8) Rachel King 54.0kg	81	101	151	81	91	340	190	91	75	81	101	91
16th 16 Agirlsbestfriend (2) Jenny Duggan 54.0kg	41	51	71	51	61	12	100	51	57	41	61	61
11th 20e Listen To The Band (12) Jake Pracey-Holmes 57.5kg	71	61	71	51	61	40	85	51	43	61	61	61
Market percentage	119	122	114	123	119	211	177	121	121	119	117	119
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