Godolphin hope out of Cup

Qewy won’t back up from Bendigo win

RACING: Qewy is out of the Melbourne Cup.

Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby said the veteran would bypass Tuesday’s Cup despite being assured a run.

The eight-year-old worked lightly at Werribee yesterday before Appleby pulled the pin, a decision that guarantees Wall Of Fire a start.

Appleby said Qewy still needed a few more days to recover after setting a course record with a tenacious Bendigo Cup win on Wednesday.

“He knows he’s had a race, and I think the Cup will just come a bit soon for him,” Appleby said.

“It’s only six days between the two races.

“Hopefully we can consider another race for him in Melbourne this trip, provided he is back on top form.”

Qewy finished fourth in last year’s Melbourne Cup, also winning the Geelong and Sandown cups.

Meanwhile, Thomas Hobson’s flickering Melbourne Cup fate is likely to remain in limbo right up until today’s final acceptance deadline.

A TAB $21 chance, the Irish stayer sits at 25th in the Cup order of entry and could be pushed lower by the winner of today’s Lexus Stakes.

Gallante, which is also safely in the field at No.20, could be among the final acceptors if wet weather materialises.

If so, owner Lloyd Williams could have seven runners.

The others are favourite and defending champion Almandin, Johannes Vermeer, Rekindling, US Army Ranger and Bondi Beach. Aloft, currently 27th, could also parachute into the Cup by winning the Lexus.

Of the 10 runners in the Lexus, eight remain in the Cup with the chance to claim the “golden ticket” into the race.

Harlem, Geelong Cup winner Vengeur Masque, Aloft and Kellstorm are among the leading chances.