Tony Peter enjoyed a successful weekend with MERIDIUS winning the Jubilee Handicap on Sunday, a crucial preparatory race for the Durban July.

Main Defender, however, underperformed in the Gr1 Gold Challenge on Saturday, running below expectations after his impressive victory in the Gr1 Horse Chestnut Stakes in early March, where he effortlessly overtook Dave The King and earned a 131 rating—the highest for any 3-year-old in the country and the second highest overall.

Main Defender was then controversially scratched from the Gr2 Drill Hall which led to his owners and connections protesting and the meeting subsequently abandoned. That TCO2 positive test scratching cost him the prep run into this race.

In the Gold Challenge, Dave The King reversed the outcome by winning, while Main Defender did not live up to his previous form, leading to his withdrawal from the Durban July.

Additionally, Royal Aussie, who was doubtful for the Gold Challenge and scratched the night before, has also been withdrawn from the Durban July.

The latest standings had Main Defender and Royal Aussie ranked 10th and 12th, respectively.