The Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard-trained son of Dalghar had been solid in the market for the Vodafone-sponsored classic at Ellerslie.

“It’s very unfortunate, it’s just a bruised heel at the wrong time and we’ve had to pull the pin,” part-owner Chris Rutten said.

“We had all been really looking forward to it, he’d been working brilliantly.

“Hopefully, he’ll get to the Rosehill Guineas and then the Australian Derby.”

Scott Base has won two of his three starts this year, including the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) and then came from last to finish fourth in the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m).

His defection allows the Shane Crawford-trained Bel Ragazzo into the Derby line-up