Beyond Delight scratched from Inter Dominion

Harness Racing Victoria stewards confirmed just after 6.30pm on Friday that the Emma Stewart-trained runner had been withdrawn from the $500,000 Group 1 feature at Melton.

Stewards reported that Beyond Delight exhibited an irregular heart rhythm following trackwork on Wednesday and a subsequent veterinary examination confirmed the horse to have an irregularity.

Associated blood test results from the four-year-old also revealed markers indicative of cardiac abnormalities.

Considering the findings, inclusive of veterinary advice, and the previous history of the horse, the decision was made by connections to withdraw him from the race.

Beyond Delight was one of five Stewart-trained qualifiers for the final after a second (Shepparton) and two fifth (Ballarat and Geelong) placings in the heats.

Kerryn Manning had been set to drive Beyond Delight in the Inter Dominion Pacing Championship Grand Final, but his scratching now gives emergency Torrid Saint a start.

The Julie Douglas-trained pacer – the only reserve for the race – will begin from barrier eight with Jack Laugher in the sulky.

Beyond Delight had been drawn in gate five off the front row.