Melbourne Cup contender Alcopop will bypass all upcoming races until next month’s Melbourne Cup.
The rising star has been returned to his Victor Harbour home in South Australia where he will continue to train for the $5.5 million race.
Young trainer Jake Stephens is extremely sure of his decision stating that there are no other races which are really suited to the horse and a good break before the big day is what is really needed.
During the horse’s next three weeks of rest, he will bypass major lead-up races the Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m) and the Group 2 Moonee Valley Cup (2500m).
This year’s Spring Racing Carnival is the gelding’s second career campaign.
Unbeaten in four starts in this campaign, the five year old has previously won a Class 3 1200m race, the Listed Balaklava Cup, the Listed JRA Cup and the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield last weekend.