Lucas Cranach Out of Australian Cup 2012 – Betting Update

Trainer Anthony Freedman’s belief that Americain was the deserving 2012 Australian Cup favourite has eventuated as the ruling top elect for the Flemington Super Saturday feature, Lucas Cranach, has been scratched due to injury.

Lucas Cranach has been ruled out of the 2012 Australian Cup and the remainder of the autumn carnival

Yesterday Freedman said that while he was happy with how his star German import and last-start Peter Young Stakes winner Lucas Cranach was travelling ahead of the $1 million Group 1 Dubai Australian Cup (2000m) on Saturday, that it was former Melbourne Cup winner Americain who was the horse to beat.

Lucas Cranach, who was paying $3 in the horse racing odds at bookmaker.com.au for the Australian Cup 2012, has been officially withdrawn from the field having suffered a minor leg injury leaving eight hopefuls.

Mamool five-year-old Lucas Cranach injured himself when residing in his box at the Markdel training facility at Mornington in Victoria according to managing part-owner Luke Murrell.

“It looks like he has been feeling that well in himself that he has reared up in his box and struck himself and the leg has swollen up,” Murrell said.

“The vets x-rayed him and a tiny bone flake looks like it is floating around.

“There is no joint damage and it is extremely minor but it is enough to stop him running in the Australian Cup, which is extremely disappointing.”

The injury may small but it is will need minor surgery meaning Lucas Cranach would not race again this autumn.

Murrell said that while the autumn was over after just one run, there was a big Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival ahead for Lucas Cranach who is likely to shoot for glory in the 2012 Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday of November having run an eye-catching third in the famous Flemington feature last year.

“At least he will be up and running early in the spring,” Murrell said.

“It’s very disappointing but the positive is he is lightly-raced and will be better in the spring.”

With Lucas Cranach out, the former French-trained Americain has regained his position at the top of the Australian Cup odds paying $2.20 through bookmaker.com.au.

There are four other Australian Cup hopefuls at single-figure odds also with Bart Cummings’ top chance of scoring a 14^th Australian Cup win Illo ($5.50), the now Peter Moody-trained Manighar ($6), reigning Caulfield Cup winner Southern Speed ($6.50) and the Michael Moroney-trained Group 1 hero Glass Harmonium ($7).

Rounding out the Australian Cup markets and field are then Perth raider Playing God ($21), 2007 Melbourne Cup winner Efficient ($26) and Cummings’ second representative Precedence ($31).

See below for the updated Australian Cup odds and betting market move following the early withdrawal of Lucas Cranach.

Stay tuned to Races.com.au today to view out exclusive Flemington race tips for Saturday, including those for the Australian Cup.

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