How the 2009 Melbourne Cup Field Settled After Derby Day

Derby Day was the last chance for several horses still wanting a Melbourne Cup run and there was good news for some and bad news for others. Those who follow racing gossip will know that there had been rumours about Efficient for the past couple of weeks. He has a recurring injury to his off foreleg and has been a ‘maybe’ runner since his Turnbull Stakes win. He has been inspected by vets on a daily basis and on Saturday the final decision was made not to run him. This is the third time in four years he has been withdrawn from the Cup in the last few days.

Another surprise withdrawal was the Godolphin trained Kirklees. Trainer Saeed bin Suroor felt the horse was not in the peak of condition and decided he would not run in the Cup and be taken back to Dubai. On the basis of those 2 withdrawals on Saturday morning Danny O’Brien decided to scratch Vigor from the Mackinnon as he felt his horse who would be no worse than 26^th in elimination order would have an excellent chance of getting into the 24 horse field.

Tragedy struck at the start of the Mackinnon as Zipping became cast in the gates just as they were ready to jump. Barrier attendants did a great job to pull him out of the front of the barriers after all other horses were unloaded, to save the risk of him injuring his back if he tried to get up under the metal barriers. He had to be withdrawn from the Mackinnon, but far worse he was denied a place in the 2009 Melbourne Cup field. This is very sad because as an eight-year-old he is unlikely to get another chance.

The Lexus was won in great style by Shocking who had already secured a Cup berth. Trying to work their way up the order of elimination in that race were Cats Fun, Six O’Clock News, Hoorang, Cape Breton, Dandaad, Nothin Leica Cat, Britomart, Hume and Naval Escort. Hume ran a gallant second.

Cup starters in the Mackinnon were Viewed, Master O’Reilly, Newport and Cima De Triomphe. Zipping wanted to be there, and Vigor was a scratching. Cima De Triomphe had to come in the first three to qualify, and couldn’t. Viewed ran a lovely third, Master O’Reilly was fifth and Newport was 6^th.

At the end of the day 29 horses were paid up for the 24 spots. Five had to be rejected and Danny O’Brien lost his gamble with Vigor – he was number 25 on the list. And that is how the final 24 came to be.

Jo Jackson

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