NZ’s Jon Snow out of Melbourne Cup

Jon Snow’s Melbourne spring campaign has come to a premature end after he tailed the field in Saturday’s Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m).

Nothing went to plan for the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained five-year-old and his connections are bringing him back to New Zealand.

‘‘Bursting through the gates (before the start) didn’t help,’’ Forsman said. ‘‘Damian (Lane, jockey) said he came out of the gates the second time and felt like a bit of a stunned mullet.

‘‘The plan was to work forward and he couldn’t quite get there and was just planted threewide without cover most of the way on a slow speed. Then they sprinted and he got left flat-footed. Nothing really worked out and at that level things really do have to go your way.’’ While disappointed in his run, Forsman said Jon Snow has pulled up really well and is in top order, but a lack of options for him has put an end to his spring preparation.

‘‘He’s great, he looks outstanding,’’ Forsman said. ‘‘That is the most disappointing thing, he’s in such good order. But at this level there is no hiding when things don’t fall into place.

‘‘He flies home on Wednesday night, so he will be back in New Zealand on Thursday morning.

‘‘There were just a lack of options for him here heading forward. In terms of weight-for-age, basically it was the Emirates (Gr.1, 2000m) on the last day.

‘‘That is going to be very competitive and looks another levelup, with those internationals, from what he competed against in the Makybe Diva (Gr.1, 1600m). If we considered a handicap he is just too poorly off in the handicaps to be fair to him.’’

Jon Snow will now be freshened before his connections eye autumn spoils.

Meanwhile, the Cambridge training duo still have Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) contender Zacada vying for a spot in the two-mile feature. The Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m) runner-up will contest the Gr.3 Geelong Cup (2400m) on Wednesday and Forsman is hoping for big things.