Racing: Injury forces Zavite out of Sydney Cup

The combination of wet weather and a niggling back injury has forced trainer Anthony Cummings to take Zavite out of Saturday's group one Sydney Cup.

The Adelaide Cup winner failed to beat a runner home in Saturday's JRA Plate on a dead track at Randwick after which he was found to be sore across the back.

Cummings' son and stable representative James last night confirmed that Zavite would not contest the Cup.

"He won't run, we were disappointed with his performance on Saturday and he's definitely out," James Cummings said.

"It's not a decision made just because of the back problem - it's also the rain and the fact we believe after Saturday's performance that he's simply had enough."

Track manager Dave Hodgson rated the course slow yesterday but expects it to improve by Saturday.

"Thursday right through [to Saturday] should be fine and with some good drying weather I'm hoping to see it dead like it was for Doncaster day," Hodgson said.

The Danny O'Brien-trained Master O'Reilly has the Cup topweight of 57.5kg and is also the TAB Sportsbet favourite at A$6.50.

New Zealander Mr Tipsy, who ran fifth in the BMW, is on the third line of betting at A$8.

- NZPA