Trainer forgets Cup payment

Allan Sharrock says he has nobody but himself to blame, after missing the first acceptance payment for next month’s NZ$7.67 million Melbourne Cup, rendering Auckland Cup winner Ladies First ineligible to start.

The New Plymouth trainer was alerted to his mistake when talking to co-owner Humphrey O’Leary, who noted that there were 85 horses remaining in contention after Tuesday’s first acceptances.

Sharrock hurriedly made calls to Racing Victoria officials, and took advice from racing administrators and fellow trainers in New Zealand, but to no avail.

‘‘It was plain and simply an oversight, and I have to own that,’’ Sharrock said, fearing he could lose Ladies First from his stable.

‘‘Humphrey and Fiona [O’Leary] were very understanding and I’m incredibly grateful for that.

‘‘I woke up in hot and cold sweats last night. It’s a sackable offence as a trainer, but they have been great.’’

A payment of $3290 was due by midday on Tuesday, with fellow New Zealand stayers Bonneval (retired), Mongolian conquer or, Our Abbadean, Highlad and Surrey not paid up.

That leaves Jon Snow (10th on the order of entry), Vin De Dance (17th), Zacada (34th), Charles Road (35th) and Pentathlon (58th) as the remaining New Zealand-trained entries for the 3200m Flemington showpiece, on November 6. Ladies First (six-year-old mare) would have sat about 39th on the entry order had Sharrock made the payment.

Ladies First is still in line to campaign in Melbourne, provided she races well in Saturday’s Egmont Cup (2100m).

Sharrock plans on starting her in the Moonee Valley Cup (2500m) on October 27, before tackling the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m), at Flemington on November 10.

‘‘She’s going to be awfully hard to beat on Saturday. Her work has been outstanding.’’