Apprentice Ben Allen will replace the injured Joao Moreira on the Willie Mullins trained Thomas Hobson in the Group 1 $6.25m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington today.
Apprentice Ben Allen will replace the injured Joao Moreira, above, on Thomas Hobson in the Melbourne Cup at Flemington. Photo by Sarah Ebbett.
Moreira was ruled out of Melbourne Cup contention after suffering a heavy fall from Regal Monarch in the $120,000 Ronald McDonald House Charities Plate (2800m).
Regal Monarch fell shortly after the field entered the straight and even though Moreira hit the ground hard he was able to walk back to the ambulance before making his way back to the jockey’s room with a slight limp.
The Willie Mullins trained Irish stayer Thomas Hobson is currently rated a $21 for the Melbourne Cup and will be having his first run since finishing second in the Group 2 £100,000 Doncaster Cup (3599m) at Doncasteer in England on September 15.
English stayer Marmelo is the firming $7 favourite ahead of last year’s winner Almandin at $9 with Ladbrokes.com.au.
