Tragedy Strikes Ahead Of Group 1 Temlee

WESTERN Envoy has been scratched from Saturday night's Group 1 Temlee at The Meadows after breaking down in a trial leading into the invitation event.

Western Envoy, runner-up in the group 1 Melbourne Cup and winner of the group 2 Ballarat Cup, broke a hock in the trial, leaving connections with no choice but to have the top flight sprinter euthanized.

"I'm absolutely heartbroken," said a devastated Angela Langton.

"He was such a beautiful dog at home and a wonderful race dog. It's hard to put how we feel into words right now, just devastated."

Western Envoy recorded 13 wins from his 36 race track appearances, his prize money earnings reaching $255,000.

The son of Kinloch Brae and Shared Equity had a list of race track achievements but his heroic performance to go down narrowly in last year's Melbourne Cup sits atop of the pile.

Western Envoy's scratching from Saturday night's Group 1 Temlee sees Slingshot Hammer gain a start in the $100,000 to-the-winner feature.