The newly sponsored Cape Met has gotten off to a rocky start after the defection of three of the many contenders for the prize.

The latest to have been scratched excluding the injured and retired Rainbow Bridge include War Of Athena and Malmoos.

War Of Athena was a big blow as the triple tiara winner ran what can only be described as a horrendous race on Saturday and was subsequently withdrawn. She was beaten into 4th by Mk's Pride beaten 5.25 lengths but looked lost in that event.

Malmoos has lost his form terribly and is a pale shadow of himself after his amazing 3 year old season. He has not trained on to date.

Malmoos has been beaten a combined 33 lengths in his last three starts.

Other notable scratchings that have been announced earlier include Warrior, last in the Queens Plate, Rascallion, Sovereign Spirit and former Cape Guineas winner Russian Rock.