The final field and barrier draw for the 2009 Group 1 $5.65million Melbourne Cup next Tuesday was announced tonight following a sensational day of elite victories and a few upsets at Flemington at the AAMI Victoria Derby Day.
Much controversy surrounded Danny O’Brien-trained Vigor and whether the Racing Victoria committee would use its discretion to include the runner into the field despite being below the 24th spot on the elimination. After O’Brien chose not to run Vigor in the Mackinnon Stakes, the gelding, 25th on the order of elimination, was denied a start after the RVC officials chose not to use their powers to elevate him into the field.
Zipping’s fall in the barriers before the Mackinnon Stakes on Saturday left the Lloyd Willimas trained runner out of Cup contention, and with other big names including Efficient and Kirkless withdrawn from the race, lesser-raced acceptors includingGallions Reach (barrier 6) and Capecover (barrier 19) were able to remain in the 24 horse field.
Mark Kavangh’s Shocking burst into Melbourne Cup contention when he defeated the Group 3 Lexus Stakes field in impressive fashion, pushing out Bart Cumming’s additional Melbourne Cup hopefuls Dandaad and Navla Escort from the final field. Shocking drew barrier 22.
Cummings will still be represented next Tuesday by three runners, defending Cup champion Viewed, Roman Emperor and Allez Wonder, in barriers 9, 15 and 13 respectively.
The third-placegetter Viewed was terrific in the Mackinnon – giving Cummings the best possible trial for the two-miler on Tuesday as he went beautifully to the line.
The Cups Kings’ son, Anthony Cummings, also has a starter for the Melbourne Cup with Zavite drawing barrier 3.
Luca Cumani will get another chance after training the runners-up in the last two Cups with his entry Basaltico just making it into the field, due to start in barrier 10.
Following the field and barrier announcement, Alcopop, who drew gate 12, remains the favourite for the Flemington feature at $5.00.
2009 Melbourne Cup Final Field:
# |
Horse |
Trainer |
Jockey |
Barrier |
Weight |
Penalty |
Handicapper Rating |
| 1 |
VIEWED |
Bart Cummings | Brad Rawiller | 9 | 58 | 1.0 | 119 |
| 2 |
C’EST LA GUERRE (NZ) |
John Sadler | Nicholas Hall | 7 | 55.5 | 111 | |
| 3 |
FIUMICINO (NZ) |
Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Steven King | 24 | 55.5 | 112 | |
| 4 |
MASTER O’REILLY (NZ) |
Danny O’Brien | Vlad Duric | 16 | 55 | 110 | |
| 5 |
MOURILYAN (IRE) |
Herman Brown | Glyn Schofield | 14 | 54.5 | 112 | |
| 6 |
ROMAN EMPEROR (NZ) |
Bart Cummings | Hugh Bowman | 15 | 54 | 114 | |
| 7 |
ISTA KAREEM (NZ) |
Colin Little | Luke Nolen | 23 | 53.5 | 106 | |
| 8 |
CRIME SCENE (IRE) |
Saeed Bin Suroor | Kerrin McEvoy | 11 | 53 | 109 | |
| 9 |
MUNSEF (GB) |
Ian Williams | Zac Purton | 5 | 53 | 108 | |
| 10 |
ZAVITE (NZ) |
Anthony Cummings | Mark Zahra | 3 | 53 | 107 | |
| 11 |
ALCOPOP |
Jake Stephens | Dom Tourneur | 12 | 52.5 | 2.5 | 108 |
| 12 |
HARRIS TWEED (NZ) |
Murray & Bjorn Baker | Craig Newitt | 20 | 52.5 | 107 | |
| 13 |
KIBBUTZ (NZ) |
Jarrod McLean | Chris Symons | 8 | 52.5 | 104 | |
| 14 |
NEWPORT |
Paul Perry | Peter Wells | 18 | 52.5 | 104 | |
| 15 |
WARRINGAH (GB) |
Chris Waller | Damien Oliver | 17 | 52.5 | 105 | |
| 16 |
GALLIONS REACH (NZ) |
Richard Yuill | Dwayne Dunn | 6 | 52 | 102 | |
| 17 |
SPIN AROUND |
Steven Cooper | Mark Du Plessis | 4 | 52 | 102 | |
| 18 |
BASALTICO (IRE) |
Luca Cumani | Danny Nikolic | 10 | 51.5 | 102 | |
| 19 |
CAPECOVER (NZ) |
Alexander R Fieldes | Noel Harris | 19 | 51.5 | 102 | |
| 20 |
DAFFODIL (NZ) |
Kevin Gray | Chris Munce | 21 | 51.5 | 110 | |
| 21 |
SHOCKING |
Mark Kavanagh | Corey Brown | 22 | 51 | 105 | |
| 22 |
ALLEZ WONDER |
Bart Cummings | Michelle Payne | 13 | 50.5 | 0.5 | 111 |
| 23 |
CHANGINGOFTHEGUARD (IRE) |
David Hayes | Glen Boss | 1 | 50.5 | 108 | |
| 24 |
LEICA DING |
Darren Weir | Craig Williams | 2 | 50.5 | 0.5 | 105 |
