Overseas interest in this year's International Races took a major blow yesterday with the news that brilliant Royal Ascot winner Predappio had been withdrawn from the 2,400-metre Vase.
The United Arab Emirates-based Predappio was to have been ridden by Frankie Dettori. As there was no Dubai reserve, disappointing Deauville is now in the race for Hong Kong.
Predappio defeated Japan Cup hero Pilsudski at Royal Ascot in June when ridden by brilliant American rider Gary Stevens and his form, in relation to the Vase, was excellent.
His departure will affect the race's spectacle status.
Deauville is running pounds below his best and has no discernible chance in the race.
Deauville is trained by Tony Cruz, whose retained rider Douglas Whyte has already accepted to ride the excellent Indigenous for Ivan Allan.
