Vince Curry Hero To Miss Rising Stars Final

GROUP 2 Vince Curry Maiden winner, Duffman, is an early scratching from Saturday night's Listed Rising Stars final (520m) at Ipswich.

Duffman was impressive in winning his heat of the Rising Stars in 30.77 beating Comedy Act and Johnny Koala.

But part-owner and trainer Jedda Cutlack reported after the race that Duffman had split webbing in the race and would not be able to run in the $30,000-to-the-winner final next week.

Third placed, Johnny Koala, pulled up with abrasions to an off hind but he was given only three days stand down and will run in the final.

Rising Stars first reserve, Jeff Crawford's Bootin Boodie, third to Scarlatti in a heat, gets a start in the final.

Listed Rising Stars final (in box draw order): 1 Comedy Act, 2 Garrison, 3 Scarlatti, 4 Duffman, 5 Kia Kaha, 6 Very Handy, 7 Snowy Waugh, 8 Johnny Koala. Res: 9 Bootin Boodie, 10 Striking Miss.

Tony Apap's Very Handy, coming off a final berth the previous Monday in the Group 2 Bundaberg Cup, ran the quickest of the three Rising Star heats.

He ran 30.46 to beat Snowy Waugh and Garrison, scoring by six and a quarter lengths.

He drew the two in his heat but has come up with the six in the final.

Tom Tzouvelis' Scarlatti ran 30.79 to win its heat over last week's Golden Chase final winner Kia Kaha scoring by a length.