Series Favourite Ruled Out Of Dapto Megastar

LEADING trainer Andy Lord was philosophical after having to scratch his three runners, including series' favourite Bandit Ned, from tonight's Sportsbet Dapto Megastar heats.

Bandit Ned, Winlock On Top and Coast Model all had to be withdrawn on Thursday morning after half of the Lord kennel were scouring.

"It's disappointing for the owners particularly and I really thought I could win the whole thing (with Bandit Ned), but what can you do? I get over these thing pretty quickly and move on," Lord said.

Lord explained that he fed half of his kennel with one bag of meat yesterday, then opened a new bag for the other half which included his Megastar runners.

All of those who ate the meat from that bag were sick today.

"Look it doesn't matter, we have had a good run this year," Lord said. "Possibly I could have run them but I can't do that.

"They get over scours pretty quickly and they only have a week or two off, so hopefully there might be something a little bit before Christmas for them, if not I'll wait."

Bandit Ned could be a contender for the Group 3 Christmas Gift Shootout at Wentworth Park on December 18 with prizemoney of $25,000, but Lord may also consider the $40,000 Group 2 Gosford Cup which has heats on December 28 and the final on January 4.

"Yeah, why not? We might go to Gosford. One door shuts and a new one opens," he said.