For Gai, stayer is last chance

GAI Waterhouse is still hopeful of having a Melbourne Cup starter with her tough stayer Cismontane in a mustwin situation in the Group 3 $300,000 Lexus Stakes (2500m) at Flemington today.

Cismontane is 33rd on the Melbourne Cup order of entry and needs to win the Group 3 $300,000 Lexus Stakes (2500m) to secure a place in Tuesday’s big race.

“I plan to run Cismontane on Tuesday if he can win the Lexus,’’ Waterhouse said.

“His form is good and if he wins [today] then he deserves to run in the Melbourne Cup.’’

The Lexus Stakes could easily be renamed the “Last Chance Stakes” with Cismontane among eight starters today needing to win to get into the Melbourne Cup.

Harlem, the $3.80 Lexus favourite, is 27th in order of entry for the Melbourne Cup. Aloft (28th), Vengeur Masque (30th), Kellstrom (34th), Guardini (35th) and Alward (36th) all need to win to ensure a Cup start. The Lexus winner is exempt from ballot and re-handicap for the Melbourne Cup.

In the past 40 years, only Brew (2000) and Shocking (2009) have won the Lexus Stakes-Melbourne Cup double.

Brew was also placed in the Moonee Valley Cup and Cismontane is potentially following a similar program if he can gain a Melbourne Cup start.

The irony for that she might beat herself with Cismontane’s stablemate Ecuador looming as one of the hardest to beat in the Lexus.

“Ecuador is not in the Melbourne Cup but his rider, Adam Hyeronimus, has been telling me this horse has been looking for further than 2000m,’’ Waterhouse said.

“I think 2500m is as far as he wants to go.’’

Waterhouse is upbeat her chances in two of the Group 1 races on Derby Day, particularly the $500,000 Myer Classic (1600m) with Global Glamour and Prompt Response. “I feel both mares are going so well they can run 1-2,’’ Waterhouse said.