There has already been drama leading up to the Golden Rose and it appears there will be less than a capacity field for Sydney's first group one race of the season.
The two best-performed juvenile colts of last season, Pride Of Dubai and Vancouver, will be missing from Saturday's line-up.
Injury halted Pride Of Dubai's spring campaign before it began, while Golden Slipper winner and former favourite Vancouver was ruled out on Friday to concentrate on races later in the spring.
Although trainer Gai Waterhouse was keen to head to the Golden Rose (1400m), Vancouver's owners decided his lacklustre barrier trial last week was enough to call it off and concentrate on next month's Caulfield Guineas.
All is not lost for Waterhouse with Saturday's Furious Stakes winner Speak Fondly now in the mix.
