Huge market shake-up as boom import sensationally scratched ...

8 days ago

Fox Sports

Seven days out from the race that stops the nation, the 2024 Melbourne Cup field is taking shape.

34 horses remain in the $8.5 million race following third declarations on Monday morning.

Five of those have not passed the first ballot clause, meaning they will need a minor miracle to make the final field of 24 given 29 horses above them have paid up.

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On Saturday afternoon, fourth declarations are accepted with connections having to foot a final fee of $49,500 to keep their horse in the field.

Three horses in Via Sistina, Just Fine and The Map are all assured a start having won ballot exempt races (Via Sistina - Cox Plate, Just Fine - The Bart Cummings, The Map - Andrew Ramsden Stakes).

Following the completion of this weekend’s Derby Day meeting at Flemington, the Melbourne Cup final field will be confirmed and the barrier draw undertaken.

UNBEATEN BOOM HORSE SENSATIONALLY SCRATCHED

Unbeaten import Jan Brueghel has been scratched from next week’s Melbourne Cup after failing a vet inspection.

At the time of his shock withdrawal, Jan Brueghel was a $7.50 chance with bookies, only behind Buckaroo ($5), Geelong Cup winner Onesmoothoperator ($5), Cox Plate winner Via Sistina ($5.50) and import Vauban ($6).

Racing Victoria vets ran their eye over the horse on Tuesday morning at the Werribee quarantine centre before coming to their decision.

That call shocked connections.

“He doesn’t pass the veterinary inspection to run in the Melbourne Cup... the decision was from Racing Victoria... “We’re very disappointed,” Coolmore Stud’s Tom Magnier said on RSN.

“He went through all the protocols in Ireland before departing to come down here. The lads have been very happy with the horse, he’s been bouncing out there in quarantine (at Werribee).

“But the vets have come up with the decision that has been made that he doesn’t pass the veterinary inspection to run in the Melbourne Cup.”

The Aidan O’Brien-trained four-year-old, who arrived in Australia three weeks ago, has won all four career starts.

WILL SHE OR WON’T SHE?

Last Saturday’s dazzling Cox Plate winner Via Sistina is guaranteed a spot in the 3200-metre feature if connections elect to run her

Following the Cox Plate success, she was crunched into $4.50 favourite, but there are some queries to consider if you want to take that price.

The obvious is that the mare has failed to race beyond 2040m. Additionally, connections have yet to make a call on whether she takes her place.

If it was up to jockey James McDonald though, it’d be a no-brainer.

“I would do it, but I am without a ride. I would love her to run in the Melbourne Cup. From the footage Chris has sent me as to how she has pulled up, she has pulled up sensational,” McDonald said on RSN927 on Monday.

IMPLICATIONS OF MAJOR CALENDAR CHANGE

There has been a major change to the calendar this year in that there is no Lexus Archer Stakes on the Derby Day schedule.

In years past, horses could have one final throw at the stumps in the Lexus Archer. If they won, they’d be exempt from the Cup ballot.

In 2024 and going forward, the Lexus Archer is held in September.

This Wednesday’s Bendigo Cup is the final chance for a horse outside of the top 24 in the Order of Entry to earn a weight penalty and move up.

Three horses outside the top 30 (Sea King, Whisky on The Hill and Le Don De Vie) will contest the Bendigo Cup, all likely needing to win or a top two finish to earn a weight penalty substantial enough to move up the Order of Entry.

MELBOURNE CUP ORDER OF ENTRY

Ballot Exempt horses

1 = Via Sistina (IRE) 56kg Chris Waller

1 = Just Fine (IRE) 53kg Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott

1 = The Map 50kg Dan Clarken & Oopy MacGillivray

Passed Ballot clause on October 28

4. Jan Brueghel (IRE) 54kg Aidan O’Brien (SCRATCHED)

5. Vauban (FR) 55.5kg Willie Mullins

6. Circle Of Fire (GB) 54.5kg Ciaron Maher

7. Buckaroo (GB) 54.5kg Chris Waller

8. Warp Speed (JPN) 54.5kg Noboru Takagi

9. Zardozi 51.5kg James Cummings