Wright to pull out of this year's big race -- now less than a week away.

And that should leave pre-race favourite Kavin Smith, who didn't run last year, an even clearer path to claim his fifth victory since 1993.

Wright, who won the Somerset to Hamilton classic in one hour, 15 minutes and 18 seconds last year, apparently picked up a foot injury when he competed in the Paris Marathon last month.

He couldn't be reached for comment last night, but it's understood he has told friends he will not be on the starting line next Monday morning as he is still not fully fit.

However, Smith, winner in 1993, 1995, 1996 and 1997, will be there as will last year's runner-up and 1994 champion Brett Forgesson.

But Forgesson, a former Bermuda Commonwealth Games marathon runner, admits Smith will start as the red-hot favourite, with the rest fighting for second place.

"Kavin is in a class by himself, I can't even remember the last time he was beaten in a local race,'' said Forgesson. "He's obviously the favourite and deservedly so.'' Forgesson, a New Zealander who won the 13.25-mile event in 1:15:09 back in 1994, finished within a second of Smith in the Maple Leaf 10K this month. But he did not want to get too excited about that.

"I would not read too much into that,'' he said. "Kavin often seems to just do enough to get by. I certainly think he has another gear, whereas I was going just about flat out.'' Mike Watson, a veteran and past winner was another to watch, said Forgesson, as was Sylvester Jean-Pierre, a master in excellent form this year, and Canadian John Wassenaar, competing in his first Derby.

Wright's victory last year was his second, following his initial triumph in 1990, and Forgesson, commenting before news of the defending champion's withdrawal, felt he would clearly have been a threat again this year.

Forgesson has tasted the unique atmosphere of the occasion several times and he reckoned that gave him an advantage over first-timers.

"Experience can be a great help in this race. It's a tough course to run and the conditions are often warm and humid.

"With the big crowds watching, it's easy to get dragged on and go too fast too early, and if you do that, you're likely to pay later on. To me, a big part of the race is planning for the course and the day.'' With its 89-year history and its ability to attract big crowds, Forgesson said this race was revered above all others.

"If you talk to non-runners, they say that this is the only race of the year they are going to remember. So, it makes no difference if you win every other race of the year -- this is the one to win.'' Tracy Wright: suffered a foot injury at the Paris Marathon.