Godolphin colt Hierarchy has been scratched from Saturday’s Group 1 Victoria Derby at Flemington after developing an elevated temperature, opening the door for first emergency Meet The Prince.
Trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman confirmed the withdrawal on Thursday, saying the three-year-old needs treatment and will not line up in the $3 million classic over 2500m, Racing.com reported.
“Unfortunately, Hierarchy has been scratched from Saturday’s Howden Victoria Derby due to an elevated temperature that requires treatment,” Freedman Racing said in a statement posted to X.
“While disappointing, his wellbeing comes first. We will assess him further over the coming days before confirming our plans for the remainder of the spring.”
Meet The Prince gets his chance
Hierarchy’s scratching promotes the Pat Kearney-trained Meet The Prince into the field, handing apprentice Jackson Radley a Group 1 ride on Derby Day, Just Horse Racing reported.
Meet The Prince had drawn barrier one as first emergency in the official Racing Australia fields, with Locked In the second emergency.
Read more: Victoria Derby 2026 Field: Cormier Draws Barrier Three
Hierarchy had drawn barrier four with Ben Melham booked to ride, and was one of two Godolphin runners in the race alongside Ciaron Maher’s Skua, as the operation chases back-to-back Derbies after Observer’s win last year, according to Racing.com.
The colt is by Dubawi out of Colette, the Godolphin mare who won the 2020 Australian Oaks and the Empire Rose Stakes on Derby Day the following year.
The rest of the Derby field
The Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich-trained Cormier, third in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick last Saturday, drew barrier three for Jamie Mott.
Chris Waller’s Stormy Marco (barrier 16, James McDonald) and Vase winner True Rebel (barrier 17, Billy Egan) are also in the field.
Read more: Victoria Derby Winners: Every Winner Since 1855 and Race Records
The Victoria Derby is race seven at Flemington on Saturday, 31 October, with a 4:20pm AEDT start, on a Derby Day card that also features the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes and Empire Rose Stakes.
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