Nobals is withdrawn from Hong Kong Sprint

HRN staff
Photo: Casey Phillips / Eclipse Sportswire

Nobals will not run in the Hong Kong Sprint after developing a fever when he shipped in.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club said in a news release Thursday that the 6-year-old gelding "has continued to display a blood abnormality and is not suitable to start this Sunday."

He was withdrawn from the race, and standby starter Flying Ace will take his slot.

Trainer Larry Rivelli told Horse Racing Nation on Tuesday that he expected Nobals to start because his temperature had gone down after treatment.

Nobals is coming off a win in the Kennedy Road (G2) at Woodbine on Nov. 6. It was the first win in four starts this year for the 5-year-old gelding, who finished 2023 with a win in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

As for the 16-hour trip to Sha Tin, Rivelli said, "it's a long way to go and not run, that's for sure."

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