Import Neufbosc effectively on trial for start in Melbourne Cup

MELBOURNE: A start in the Melbourne Cup for imported stayer Neufbosc will hinge on his performance in the Hotham Handicap at Flemington.

Neufbosc is No 24 on the order of entry for the cup and can be leapfrogged if he does not win the Hotham. The winner of Saturday’s 2500m handicap is guaranteed a start.

Of the 28 nominations for the Hotham, 18 remain as third acceptances for the cup three days later.

Lindsay Park senior trainer David Hayes said Neufbosc would not be an acceptor for the cup if he raced poorly on Saturday.

Formerly trained in France, Neufbosc came to Australia having finished second to Kew Gardens in a group 1 race at Longchamp in July last year before contesting the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe almost three months later.

Neufbosc finished ninth in the Geelong Cup on October 23 at his latest start and Hayes is hoping for some give in the track.

‘‘He needs to run very well and competitively on Saturday, otherwise we won’t accept with him for the cup,’’ Hayes said.

‘‘He did work well with Rostropovich [yesterday] morning.

‘‘He jarred up the other day when he didn’t hit out on the firm ground so hopefully with a bit of rain about it’s a different race.’’

Lindsay Park has two confirmed cup runners, Rostropovich and favourite Constantinople, who both head straight to Tuesday’s race.

Hayes said Rostropovich was due for a good barrier draw.

‘‘He hasn’t been inside a horse since he’s been in Australia.’’

Constantinople gave his companion, Victoria Derby runner Huntly Castle, a start in a gallop at Flemington yesterday, reeling him in easily.

Hayes said he was impressed at how long it took for Constantinople to be pulled up.

‘‘I’m very happy with his fitness levels and I think we’re in a good space,’’ Hayes said.

‘‘He picked up the other horse in his own time, gave him a big head start and was great over the last 200 metres.’’ — AAP