A spider bite has put Simon Told Helen, the hot favourite for tomorrow night's Ladbrokes National Derby at Wentworth Park, out of the big race.
Also missing from the $75,000 to the winner final will be second fastest qualifier Aston Sapporo, who has suffered a toe injury.
Simon Told Helen, the Queensland Derby and Silver Chief Classic winner, had been made favourite after clocking blistering sectional times before finishing second to Hard Style Rico in the fastest Derby Heat.
"The spider seems to have bitten Simon Told Helen sometime last weekend and gave him a nasty wound on is right hind leg,'' trainer David Burnett said.
"The wound is healing well and the dog seems terrific but the owners and myself want to give him plenty of time to recover and be 100 per cent again.
"So unfortunately we have had to make the decision to pull Simon Told Helen out of the Derby.''
Aston Sapporo, winner of Heat 4 of the Ladbrokes National Derby at Wentworth Park on Friday night will also miss the Group 1 Final after trainer Jason MACKAY made the decision on Thursday morning.
Suffering from cartilage soreness, the swelling had reduced in size however MACKAY was not going to risk the safety of Aston Sapporo on Friday night.
"The swelling has come down on the middle joint but seeing seeing him walk around the yard this morning, he still looks in some discomfort," said MACKAY.
"There is no way i'm going to risk him in this. It does matter if it was a million dollar race, I don't want him out there."
