It is a case of win or perish for the 2010 Melbourne Cup hopefuls lining up in this Saturday’s $250,000 Group 3 The Lexus Stakes (2500m) at Flemington as a field of runners outside the top 24 Melbourne Cup order of entry fight for a spot in the Cup field.
The 2010 The Lexus Stakes has attracted a 14-horse final field and with a Melbourne Cup ballot exemption on offer for the winner, the field features a number of Cup hopefuls in danger of losing out on a Melbourne Cup start – most notably Alcopop.
Jake Stephens’ Jeune gelding Alcopop was the beaten Melbourne Cup favourite 12 months ago and now faces missing out on their chance to atone in this year’s Cup, currently sitting 19th on the order of entry for the $6 million handicap.
Saturday’s Lexus Stakes is the last chance for Alcopop to sneak into the Melbourne Cup field with a win, and he will start from barrier 10.
Other Melbourne Cup hopefuls that are in the same boat as Alcopop also running in the Lexus Stakes on Saturday include Gai Waterhouse’s winner of the Group 1 The Metropolitan Herculian Prince (barrier eight), Lloyd Williams-owned stablemates Mourayan (barrier 13) and Linton (barrier five), Red Ruler (barrier 12) and Moudre coming up trumps with barrier one.
Two top mares already assured of a start in the 2010 Melbourne Cup are Jessicabeel and Once Were Wild, starting from barriers nine and six respectively on Saturday. If either win it will rule out a late inclusion by the likes of Alcopop in this year’s Melbourne Cup.
The 2010 The Lexus Stakes is scheduled as Race 2 at Flemington on Saturday.
Odds on The Lexus are set to open at Luxbet shortly, while markets on other Victoria Derby Day features including the Mackinnon Stakes are already open, so sign up now for the best prices!
2010 The Lexus Stakes Field, Barrier Draw & Weights
| # | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ALCOPOP | Jake Stephens | Blake Shinn | 10 | 57 |
| 2 | HERCULIAN PRINCE (NZ) | Gai Waterhouse | Glyn Schofield | 8 | 57 |
| 3 | MOURAYAN (IRE) | Robert Hickmott | Steven King | 13 | 56.5 |
| 4 | RED RULER (NZ) | John Sargent | Michael Rodd | 12 | 56.5 |
| 5 | LINTON | Robert Hickmott | Glen Boss | 5 | 55.5 |
| 6 | JESSICABEEL (NZ) | John O’Shea | Darren Beadman | 9 | 55 |
| 7 | ONCE WERE WILD | Gai Waterhouse | Michael Walker | 6 | 55 |
| 8 | MOUDRE | Ciaron Maher | Craig Williams | 1 | 54.5 |
| 9 | PURPLE | Peter Snowden | Mark Zahra | 7 | 54.5 |
| 10 | COUNT ENCOSTA | John P Thompson | Craig Newitt | 4 | 53 |
| 11 | CEDARBERG | Pat Carey | Chris Symons | 2 | 53 |
| 12 | MALUCKYDAY (NZ) | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Jim Cassidy | 11 | 53 |
| 13 | STANSTILL (IRE) | Michael Kent | Luke Nolen | 3 | 53 |
| 14 | GOTHIC CROWN | Todd Balfour | Darren Gauci | 14 | 53 |
