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Queen Elizabeth II Cup’s raging favourite Lim’s Lightning was sensationally scratched on the morning of the big race due to a minor injury.

Trainer Daniel Meagher reported that the gelding was only metres away from reaching the stables after his afternoon walk yesterday when he suddenly got spooked by a noise, slipped and fell.

Luckily, he got back on his feet, but the fall was not without a scratch, especially around the right shoulder. He was duly treated, but the next morning, he was short.

It wasn't a serious bruise, but the decision was still a no-brainer. Lim's Lightning was coming out of the Cup.

Meagher was understandably dejected, but relieved at the same time, the horse was still in one piece.

"It was a freak accident during his walk yesterday afternoon. He was 20 metres away from walking into the barn when it happened," said the Australian handler.

"He took fright at a noise that came opposite from where he walks. Not sure what it was, it was like something fell off a wall.

"He lost his footing, slipped to the side, and I was thinking to myself, he was so quiet, and how stupid is this, it took one noise and here he is on the ground.

"Like I said before, it doesn't take much for him to get spooked by little things, and it's happened at the worst time.

"He came back up right away, but he had some cuts and bruises. We stayed late cleaning his wounds not realising he would be lame.

"But on the next day he was short in his walk. It was nothing major, but we couldn't run him.

"It's disappointing, but more importantly, we've still got a horse. (Owner) Mr Lim (Siah Mong) is understanding and know we've been very patient with this horse, but unfortunately, these things can happen.

"We're moving on, and we can still bring him back for the same races next year."

With Lim's Lightning out, the $300,000 Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (1800m) opens up a bit more, for example Singapore champion trainer Michael Clements' chance of going back-to-back with Top Knight brightens up significantly. He also saddles four more runners, of whom Big Hearted is his next best chance.

Others like Hard Too Think and Minister will also garner more support following the withdrawal of the hot favourite.

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