Queensland chief steward Josh Adams said the Ciaron Maher-trained sprinter was vetted without race plates on and was found to be lame in the near fore leg.
Bella Nipotina will undergo a further vet inspection on Saturday morning, prior to scratching time, which will determine whether she will take her place in the Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm.
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The Group 1-winning mare will be re-shod with race plates on Saturday morning before her final vetting.
Bella Nipotina, under Craig Williams, was a dazzling winner of the Doomben 10,000 when she sliced through the pack from last after missing the kick, nailing favourite I Wish I Win on the line.
She is a well-supported $6.50 chance in the $1m feature on Saturday, with I Wish I Win holding $3.90 favouritism.
In other vet news ahead of Eagle Farm on Saturday, Kevin Kemp’s Toowoomba filly Jemoma Alpilage will need to face a further vet check ahead of the $1m Group 2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes.
Jemoma Alpilage, a $41 chance, was found to be lame in the near hind leg on Friday.
She will undergo a further vet examination on Saturday morning, prior to scratching time.
Originally published as Kingsford Smith Cup fancy Bella Nipotina faces last-minute vet examination