It was a disappointing result for defending champion Shocking at Flemington today, the five-year-old pulling up sore after finishing a well beaten 18th in the 2010 Melbourne Cup.
The Mark Kavanagh-trained son of Street Cry won the Melbourne Cup 12 months ago, but after a horror outside barrier draw and encountering early interference, Shocking beat home just five other runners in the 150th Melbourne Cup today.
Americain won the $6 million Melbourne Cup, beating home defending champion Shocking by a massive 19 lengths.
The pace of today’s 3200m showdown was also against Shocking, the stop start motion unsuited to his race style.
It has been a long spring campaign for Shocking, who has had seven runs this season after resuming in the Liston Stakes back on August 18, now likely to be given a rest with an eye on the autumn.
There are also rumours circulating that So You Think, beaten favourite in today’s Melbourne Cup finishing third behind Americain and Maluckyday, will be retired to stud.
So You Think added another $450,000 in prize money to his incredible career earnings, the Bart Cummings-trained superstar now having accumulated $6,184,350 for his connections including owner Dato Tan Chin Nam in just 12 race starts.
Stay tuned for more updates.
In the meantime, the action of the spring carnival is far from over with two major Group 1 races still on the horizon.
This Thursday, November 4, the Group 1 Crown Oaks (2500m) will take place a Flemington and for the hottest odds and best betting offers for this classic fillies’ feature head to Luxbet now!