Kiwi stayer Jon Snow has been ruled out of the 2017 Group 1 $6.25m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) after failing to pass a vet’s examination today.
Jon Snow, above has been ruled out of the 2017 Melbourne Cup field because of lameness. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Jon Snow had been in some doubt over the last twenty-four hours because of some soreness in his fore feet and was found to be lame in the near fore foot when inspected by Racing Victoria Vets today.
“07-11-2017 Flemington R7 – Jon Snow -LAME near fore, will not be permitted to accept for Melbourne Cup,” was the message from the Racing Victoria Stewards via twitter.
Jon Snow was marked at $51 for the Melbourne Cup with Ladbrokes.com.au and was coming off a last start ninth to Boom Time in the Group 1 $3.15m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on October 21.
The Iffraaj stallion was the winner of the Group 1 $2m BMW Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick during the 2017 Sydney Autumn Carnival and returned to Australia in the Spring to win the Group 3 $200,000 MSC Signs JRA Cup (2040m) at The Valley on September 29.
Jon Snow then ran third to Gailo Chop in the Group 1 $1m Ladbrokes Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on October 14 before missing a place in the Caulfield Cup.
The non appearance of Jon Snow at Flemington on Tuesday has paved the way for the Willie Mullins trained Irish stayer Thomas Hobson to find a spot in the twenty-four horse Melbourne Cup field.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Cismontane was also a late inclusion in the 2017 Melbourne Cup field after winning the Group 3 $300,000 Lexus Stakes (2500m) at Flemington today.
The final field for the 2017 Melbourne Cup will be released around 5 o’clock this afternoon.
Early betting for the 2017 Melbourne Cup at Ladbrokes.com.au: $6.50 Almandin, $8 Marmelo, $10 Humidor, Wall Of Fire, $12 Johannes Vermeer, Red Cardinal, $13 Thomas Hobson, $15 Rekindling, $17 Max Dynamite, $21 Big Duke, Tiberian, $26 Hartnell, Amelie’s Star, Nakeeta, Boom Time, $34 Bondi Beach, Ventura Storm, $41 Single Gaze, Cismontane, Who Shot Thebarman, US Army Ranger, $51 Wicklow Brave, $61 Libran, $101 Gallante.
