Ben and JD Hayes will have their first runner in one of the spring majors after Racing Victoria vets passed Port Guillaume fit to run in the Caulfield Cup 2021.
Port Guillaume presented with lameness when inspected by RV vets on Thursday, but on re-examination on Friday was cleared to run.
The imported galloper was withdrawn from the Caulfield Cup a week out from the race last year after presenting with lameness and was later found to have bone bruising.
It was welcome news for the Lindsay Park trainers who liked what they saw from the stayer when sixth to Nonconformist in the Group 3 MRCÂ Foundation Cup (2000m) at Caulfield on September 18 before running last behind Grand Promenade in The Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington on October 2.
Ben Hayes explained Port Guillaume had a tough run that day when trapped wide.
“His work at home has been good since and he will love a wet track,” Hayes said.
Port Guillaume was an $81 chance with TAB on Friday with Incentivise the $2.60 top elect ahead of Delphi at $9 and Young Werther at $10.
She’s Ideel and The Chosen One were also inspected on Friday and passed fit to race.
Earlier on Friday, the Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman-trained Quick Thinker was withdrawn following a morning inspection of the stayer found a tendon problem.
“Unfortunate news this morning, with Quick Thinker found with a tendon issue on morning check-up,” OTI Racing posted on Twitter.
First emergency Great House, trained by Chris Waller, has now gained a start.
Meanwhile, the highly fancied Realm Of Flowers will miss the Melbourne Cup on November 2.
The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained stayer was guaranteed a start in the Melbourne Cup having won a ballot exemption with her victory in the Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) at Flemington in May.
“Unfortunately, Realm Of Flowers is out of this year’s Melbourne Cup due to illness and she requires a spell,” Anthony Freedman Racing posted on Twitter.
“She will have a break now and we look forward to having her back in the autumn.”
