NZ cup hopes hang in balance

A third placing for Charles Road in the Bendigo Cup has catapulted him over fellow Kiwi horse Zacada and into 23rd spot in the order of entry for the Melbourne Cup.

However, the result still leaves the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained Charles Road, who races as Sir Charles Road in Australia, vulnerable to missing a start as he needed a win on Wednesday to earn a penalty that could have pushed him further up the list.

As it stands, with tomorrow’s Lexus Stakes winner exempt from a ballot and Victoria Derby favourite Thinkin’ Big a chance to run if he wins tomorrow, Charles Road – with 53kg in the cup – remains reliant on luck to earn a place in Tuesday’s race as does the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Zacada.

However, the news that Duretto had been withdrawn from the cup bolstered the Kiwi pairs chances.

The Chris Waller-trained Patrick Erin, a former Kiwi horse who remains in New Zealand ownership, was scratched from the Bendigo Cup after recording an elevated temperature.

Patrick Erin had already received a penalty after winning the Metropolitan Handicap in September but began Wednesday in 38th in the order of entry.

Another New Zealand owned horse trained by Chris Waller, Who Shot Thebarman, is guaranteed a start on Tuesday.

The Lexus Stakes shapes as the last chance for several horses to make the cup field.

The Age