CHAPMPION filly Igugu has been withdrawn from Saturday’s Gr 1 TBA Paddock Stakes. Mike de Kock’s star pulled up coughing after an exercise gallop on Monday and mucopus was found in her trachea.

Mike commented: “Igugu has developed a respiratory infection which is not serious, horses normally recover quickly. We’ve treated her with antibiotics and she won’t be running on Saturday.”

Traditionally critical of early acceptances, Mike said: “We’re now left with a field of six runners in the Paddock Stakes, which doesn’t do the race justice at all.  More runners would have stood their ground if Igugu wasn’t accepted last week.

“If trainers were allowed to accept for the race during this week like they do in most jurisdictions overseas, this would not have been an issue. Those who pulled their runners out because Igugu was in the race would have left them in to contest the event.”

He said that plans to contest the J&B Met with Igugu would remain on track and added: “We’d still love to run her in the Met, but we have to take caution all the same. We will make a decision at the end of the week because her participation will have a big impact on the betting. We will make sure that punters know exactly where they stand.”