The Waterhouse Bott stable will be without one of their top chances in the $3million Magic Millions 2YO Classic on January 13 with news on Sunday that Straight Charge is out of contention due to an elevated temperature.
The Written By colt was a close second on debut in the Group III ATC Breeders Plate before resuming from a short break to win easily at Randwick on December 23.
He was second favourite for the big race at the Gold Coast behind his stablemate Storm Boy, who has now firmed to $2.50 ahead of Highness, Parkour and the Maher / Eustace runner Spywire, who is set to trial at the Gold Coast on Tuesday morning.
The Maher and Eustace stable have won the Magic Millions 2YO Classic with Away Game and Coolangatta in 2020 and 2022 and also have the filly Erno’s Cube engaged this year following her second to Straight Charge.