George to stay home for Arc
ORDER Of St George miss the Melbourne Cup.
The Irish stayer will instead be set for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on October 1.
Owner Lloyd Williams confirmed plans for the dual Irish St Leger winner following Almandin’s stunning JRA Trophy victory at Flemington on Saturday.
Williams said Almandin had pulled up well after his effortless triumph and would probably next run in The Bart Cummings on October 2 at Flemington – a race he won last year before snaring the Melbourne Cup.
Concerns on track conditions and travel stress are factors behind the decision to keep the Aidan O’Brien- trained Order Of St George in Europe.
Given 58kg in the Melbourne Cup, Order Of St George’s absence means Hartnell, a distant third in last year’s Cup behind Almandin, will be topweight with 57.5kg.
With a record five Cups in his keeping, Williams still has a string of Flemington aspirants, including Crocodile Rock and Aloft, who filled the placings behind Almandin on Saturday.
He said that trio, along with Granddukeoftuscany, Bondi Beach and Hans Holbein, were likely to head to the 2500m Bart Cummings. STEWARDS have put jockeys on notice — take unnecessary risks at your peril.
Craig Williams ( 23), Ben Melham ( 12) and Regan Bayliss ( seven) were outed for a total of 42 meetings for careless riding at Flemington on Saturday.
Chief steward Terry Bailey warned cavalier riding would not be tolerated after a robust inquiry involving Melham, who was suspended for his ride on Mighty Boss. will
Almandin is now TAB’s clear $ 8 favourite to win the Cup, despite back- to- back Cups being a feat achieved by only four horses in 155 years.
Williams indicated Rekindling, trained by O’Brien’s son Joseph, could travel to Australia after a fine fourth in the English St Leger at Doncaster yesterday.
Rekindling is a $ 51 chance for the Melbourne Cup.
Craig Williams has declared Admire Deus his preferred Cup ride after partnering the Japanese star in trackwork.
“He’s a nice, really solid horse,” Williams said.
“He’s got great form. He’s the third- highest staying horse they’ve got in Japan and I was delighted with the feel he’s given me and also the piece of work we did together.
“I just know he’s one of the main chances in the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup.”
Asked if Admire Deus was top of his Cup wish list, Williams said: “Absolutely. My manager keeps on saying, ‘ You’re not locked in until you actually jump on their back in the mounting yard because there’s scratchings and there’s this and there’s all the rest of it’.
“I’ve told him of my intentions of wanting to ride him so far. So far, I’m in a really good position and I like the position I’m in.”
Melham, who is considering an appeal, was irate after stewards blamed him for hampering Dwayne Dunn on Royal Symphony in the Pin & Win Plate.
Melham accused Dunn of putting both jockeys in danger after their mounts made contact approaching the 1200m mark of the 1400m race.
Dunn was upset and made his feelings plain to fellow riders as he returned to scale. And he didn’t mince his words at the subsequent inquiry.
“It was just rude and uncalled for,” Dunn said of Melham’s riding. “The outside horse moved in and bashed me and then did it again. I had to relinquish the spot.”
Melham disagreed. “Why is he ( Dunn) allowed to come out to meet me but my horse can’t shift in at that point?” he asked stewards.
“He’s put himself in danger, put me in danger and I’m sitting here facing this charge. It’s dangerous him riding out.
“Someone had to give or I would have got chopped from horses on the outside.”
Stewards told Melham that Dunn had a right to hold his line.
Bayliss was suspended for his ride on Eclair Sunshine in the same race.
Williams will not appeal against a ban that could result in him missing five Group 1 Flemington, Nov 7 $ 8 ALMANDIN $ 13 Humidor $ 15 Bonneval $ 17 Admire Deus, Hartnell, Red Cardinal Nakeeta, Tiberian, Ventura Storm
MELBOURNE CUP
rides before October 8.
He pleaded guilty to interference that led to Limestone and Damian Lane crashing heavily 100m from home in the Danehill Stakes. Both horse and rider were uninjured.
“In 25 years riding, I have never been involved in a careless riding incident that led to a fall until today,” Williams said.
“I was proud of this record and I’ve only got myself to blame for this.” he resumes on