THIRD DECLARATIONS TAKEN FOR THE MELBOURNE CUP
A total of 42 horses remain in contention for next week’s $5.65m Emirates Melbourne Cup
following the closure of third declarations with Racing Victoria Limited (RVL) today.
Master trainer Bart Cummings, who is chasing his 13th Melbourne Cup off the back of wins in the BMW Caulfield Cup and Tatts Cox Plate, is best represented with six horses.
Defending champion Viewed, Roman Emperor and Allez Wonder are all guaranteed starts for Cummings, whilst Think Money, Dandaad and Naval Escort can boost his numbers by winning The Lexus Stakes at Flemington this Saturday.
Stablemates Whobegotyou and Maldivian, Irish mare Profound Beauty, Vision And Power, Red Lord and Ready To Lift were the high profile withdrawals, but none were unexpected.
Imported stayers Speed Gifted (Lee Freedman) and Changingoftheguard (David Hayes) were both paid up for, as was the Luca Cumani-trained Cima De Triomphe who needs a top three finish in the Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington this Saturday to pass the ballot clause.
Following the closure of declarations, an updated elimination order has been prepared by RVL for the 3200m handicap which will be run at Flemington on Tuesday, 3 November.
The highest profile runner currently outside the final field of 24 is Caulfield Cup placegetter Vigor who sits at 29th in the order of entry.
Immediately before him in 28 is the Luca Cumani-trained Basaltico, whilst last start centrebet.com Geelong Cup winner Leica Ding is on the cusp of a start in 26th.
Final declarations will be taken at 5pm this Saturday, 31 October before the barrier draw is conducted in the Committee Room at Flemington at 6.30pm.
NO WORD ON CUP START FOR INTERNATIONAL CHANGINGOFTHEGUARD
THERE was plenty of news from the home of the international horses at Sandown this morning, but no word as to whether Changingoftheguard will line up in the $5.65m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington tomorrow week.
On a morning in which Bankable was withdrawn from nominations for the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington this Saturday owing to a setback, David Hayes’ announced that he will wait until Thursday before deciding whether Changingoftheguard starts in the Cup.
Changingoftheguard, who has fully recovered from the hoof abscess which burst on Saturday, did his strongest piece of work since arriving in Melbourne this morning with Glen Boss in the saddle.
Trainer David Hayes said the UK import would gallop again on Thursday, hopefully with a partner,
after which a decision would be made on the Melbourne Cup.
Hayes said Changingoftheguard, who was wearing winkers, was “a little bit keen” at the start of the
gallop over about 2000m but went nicely before sprinting home late. The four-year-old was timed to run his last 600m in 35.7 seconds, with the last 400m in 23.9.
Boss said the work was very satisfying, but “he needs a mate to focus on, over the last 400 (metres) he started to stargaze.” He said Changingoftheguard was very efficient in his galloping action and he pulled up very well after the gallop.
Hayes is hopeful that fellow Melbourne Cup entrant Mourilyan, a stablemate of Bankable, will be able to gallop with Changingoftheguard on Thursday morning.
South African trainer Herman Brown said Bankable, who was flying on the track during his first week in Melbourne, had what was thought to be a hoof problem, but they would not be sure until X-rays were taken later today.
"He seems to have a pulse in the near foreleg but it’s hard to pinpoint just what’s wrong,’’ he said.
"It’s very disappointing because he is otherwise so well in himself but we’ve decided not to enter him in the Mackinnon and concentrate on trying to get him right for the Emirates Stakes (1600m) on Saturday week.”
Damien Oliver made the trip to Sandown this morning to test the Luca Cumani-trained Cima De
Triomphe for the Mackinnon Stakes and said the grey, who was wearing blinkers for the first time, seemed more 'switched on'.
Cima De Triomphe cantered a lap with a companion before sprinting home strongly over 600m in what was probably his fastest piece of work since arriving.
The Godolphin stablemates Kirklees and Crime Scene worked together for the first time since prior to the Caulfield Cup and both seem to have taken more benefit than harm from their recent runs.
Handler Dawn Oxley is very pleased with the progress of Munsef and said the gelding was very fresh after his work this morning.
She said Munsef would probably have his last piece of serious work before the cup on Friday after
trainer Ian Williams and jockey Eddie Ahern arrive in Melbourne.
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