The Charlie Appleby-trained Godolphin raider from the UK Qewy has been ruled out of the Melbourne Cup 2017 field despite a brilliant win in the Bendigo Cup first-up on Wednesday.
Qewy misses the 2017 Melbourne Cup needing more time to recover from a gutsy Bendigo Cup win. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
The son of Street Cry finished fourth to Almandin in last year’s Group 1 $6.25 million Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) between wins in the Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m) and Listed Sandown Cup (3200m).
The team have ruled out a second shot at the ‘Race That Stops A Nation’ on Tuesday November 7 for the now eight-year-old gelding however with the horse needing extra time to recover from his gutsy Bendigo Cup win in race record time carrying top weight.
“He knows he’s had a race, and I think the Cup will just come a bit soon for him,” Appleby confirmed on the Godolphin website.
“It’s only six days between the two races.
“Hopefully we can consider another race for him in Melbourne this trip, provided he is back on top form.”
Qewy sits No. 22 on the Melbourne Cup order of entry and his non-acceptance into the two mile classic paves the way for the Hugo Palmer-trained Wall Of Fire (No. 24 into 23) to have a guaranteed start in the 24 horse Melbourne Cup field.
Globetrotting Australian hoop Craig Williams chases his first Melbourne Cup winning ride partnering the Canford Cliffs entire.
Five-year-old Wall Of Fire was last seen running second to Lord Fandango in the Group 2 Ladbrokes Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield carrying 58kg.
The raider comes back to just 53kg in the Melbourne Cup weights and is installed as an $11 chance behind the reigning champion Almandin ($6.50) in pre-field odds at Ladbrokes.com.au.
Remaining on the cusp of a Melbourne Cup start now into the No. 24 spot on the ballot is the Michael Kent-trained Abbey Marie.
The five-year-old Redoute’s Choice mare was last seen running in a dead heat for sixth with Marmelo in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m).
The fast-finishing Marmelo from the English stables of Hughie Morrison has Hugh Bowman retaining the ride in the Melbourne Cup and is the equal $8.50 second elect with Darren Weir’s Cox Plate runner-up Humidor.
Abbey Marie meanwhile is a $41 outsider in futures Melbourne Cup betting and remains in danger of missing out on a run with the winner of Saturday’s Group 3 $300,000 Lexus Stakes (2500m) still able to push her outside the safety of the top 24.
Godolphin will still be represented in the second leg of the Spring Cups double by the James Cummings-trained Hartnell.
Third in the race 12 months ago, imported Authrozied gelding Hartnell carries this year’s 57.5kg Melbourne Cup top weight.
After a disappointing lead-up ninth in the Group 1 Ladbrokes Stakes (2000m) on October 14 the now seven-year-old is out to $21 to win the Melbourne Cup.
If he improves sharply over the 3200m and salutes, Hartnell will be the heaviest-weighted Melbourne Cup winner since Makybe Diva carried 58kg for her record third win on the trot in 2005.
To check out the latest Melbourne Cup 2017 odds before final acceptances on Saturday afternoon, head to Ladbrokes.com.au now.
