Embye Out Of Lizrene Speed Star

UNTAPPED stayer Embye will miss Sunday's Group 3 Lizrene Speed Star (715m) at Sandown Park after straining a stomach muscle in a record breaking sprint trial at Nowra on Monday.

Qualifying for the $20,000 to-the-winner match race series with a remarkable 41.56 exhibition trial at Sandown last Wednesday, Embye was having his final hit-out on Monday in the lead up to this weekend's series, covering the Nowra 520m in a track record 29.39, breaking the clock with an astonishing 12.41 run home.

“It's not too bad but our main aim with him is the Sandown Cup in a few weeks time so it wasn't worth the risk Sunday – I want to take every precaution,” said trainer Ruth Matic.

Heavily supported in all-in markets for Sunday's Lizrene following his blistering Sandown trial, Embye's absence has robbed the series of further star-power, with champion stayer Tornado Tears also ruled out after aggravating an injury in Easter Saturday's Group 1 Association Cup Final at Wentworth Park.

Winner at 13 of his 32 starts for Ruth Matic, Embye announced his arrival as one of the country's most exciting stayers with a brilliant Wentworth Park 720m debut on April 12, covering the course in a remarkable 41.88.

“We were advised that a muscle tear would be likely if he was put under pressure on Sunday…we'll laser the problem and he will hopefully be 100 per cent for the Cup heats in two weeks time.”