The doubt surrounding a Melbourne Cup start for imported galloper Green Moon has eased after the horse came through a searching gallop at Moonee Valley on Friday.
Owner Lloyd Williams issued a provisional all clear after the workout for Green Moon, whose Cup prospects took a battering in last weekend’s Cox Plate.
Williams said the horse would run on Tuesday and would be ridden by Hong Kong-based Australian jockey Brett Prebble.
Green Moon started favourite in the Cox Plate but disappointed badly.
Williams blamed interference early in the race which he said had put the horse out of contention.
While the owner has given the all-clear, Green Moon must still be examined by Racing Victoria vets who are working their way through all Melbourne Cup contenders before final acceptances are taken for the $6m race on Saturday evening.
The news of Green Moon’s presence in the field is a blow for some of the international brigade, several of whom appear to have made the trip to Melbourne in vain.
Among them are the heavily-backed French entry Brigantin and Geelong Cup winner Gatewood, who are both on the borderline of gaining a place in the 24-horse field.
