One of the early favourites for this year’s The Everest, Private Harry, has been ruled out of the $20 million feature after injury cut short his spring campaign.

The Nathan Doyle-trained four-year-old, who burst onto the scene with five straight wins, pulled up lame in the near foreleg following Saturday’s Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.

Part-owner Yulong confirmed on Monday the gelding would undergo testing before heading to the paddock.

“It’s obviously disappointing but we need to do what’s best for the horse,” Yulong chief operating officer Sam Fairgray said.
“He’s far better than his last two runs would suggest, so there is clearly something amiss that we need to look into further.”

Yulong will now seek a replacement for its Everest slot, with stablemates Angel Capital and Magic Time already confirmed for the race.

Magic Time, War Machine, and Jedibeel were the latest runners locked in for The Everest, leaving Godolphin as the final slot-holder yet to announce its representative.