Silent Witness out of Sprint

Silent Witness has been withdrawn from Sunday's International Sprint Trial at Sha Tin after Hong Kong Jockey Club veterinarians determined he was dull and off his feed.

The world's highest rated sprinter had been expected to use Sunday's five-furlong, Group 2 race as a prep for a third consecutive title in the Hong Kong Sprint on Dec. 11. Trainer Tony Cruz said that he would now attempt to get Silent Witness, who last ran on Oct. 2 when he won the Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama in Japan, to that race on works alone.

In his absence, the $386,7000 Sprint Trial shapes up as a battle between Planet Ruler and Able Prince.

In the $386,700 International Mile Trial, the Cruz-trained Bullish Luck, who beat Silent Witness by a nose in the Champions Mile in May, squares off against defending champ The Duke.

At Kyoto, Japan, on Sunday, Durandal goes after his third straight Grade 1 Mile Championship. The $1.55 million contest also features Japanese 1000 Guineas and NHK Mile Cup winner Rhein Kraft, but if Durandal, who was second to Silent Witness in the six-furlong Sprinters Stakes last time off a 10-month absence, runs to form, he should prevail.