The upcoming Stradbroke Handicap has lost a major contender, with the unfortunate scratching of Kimochi just a day before the $3 million Group 1 at Eagle Farm.

Trainer Gary Portelli confirmed that Kimochi sustained a tendon injury following a minor training mishap on Friday morning. The setback now signals retirement for the mare, who was among the leading hopes for the 1400m feature.

Racing Queensland stewards made the call to officially scratch the four-year-old after their routine pre-race veterinary inspections.

Kimochi, who won the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes last year and placed in three other Group 1s as a three-year-old, is set to begin a new chapter at Yulong after being purchased for $2.2 million at the 2023 Chairman’s Sale.

The daughter of Brave Smash ran fourth in last week’s Kingsford Smith Cup and was seen as a key danger to favourite War Machine, who is now $3.10 in betting markets.

Kimochi is the second mare withdrawn from the Stradbroke after Firestorm, who will instead contest the Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes on the same program.

Her scratching clears the way for Transatlantic, the second emergency, to gain a start. Trained by Tony Gollan, the four-year-old lines up off a dominant Listed Spear Chief Handicap victory and will be ridden by Angela Jones with just 51kg on his back.