Azazel out of Group One Blue Diamond

Azazel has been scratched from the Blue Diamond Stakes, leaving trainer Tony McEvoy with two runners in the Group One race at Caulfield.

Azazel joins the Clinton McDonald-trained Spoils as withdrawals from Saturday’s $1.5 million race for two-year-olds, with the only emergency Sheer Madness gaining a start in the now less-than-capacity field of 15.

McEvoy, who still has Aspect and Roomooz in the Blue Diamond, told stewards Azazel had trotted up lame in the near-foreleg and he was withdrawn on Thursday afternoon.