To have one runner in the Melbourne Cup is a dream but to have five from the one stable comes down to the dedication of staff.
Ciaron Maher & David Eustace have five runners in the field for the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on Tuesday although there is a slight query on one of their starters.
Interpretation, who snuck into the field at acceptance time on Saturday, presented with lameness in the near foreleg and off hind leg when inspected by Racing Victoria vets on Monday.
The stayer will be reinspected prior to the 7.30 am scratching time on Tuesday.
Maher and Eustace had high hopes for Interpretation leading into the Cup.
Eustace said the stable had aimed Interpretation at The Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington, which if successful in, would have given him a ballot exemption into Tuesday’s race.
“I just think he’s a horse, if things had gone the other way, he would have qualified and be half the price he is now,” Eustace said.
“The program has not been ideal and I’m glad we made the call that we did and not run Saturday.”
Cup topweight Gold Trip is regarded by Maher and Eustace as the stable’s number one seed having finished second in the Caulfield Cup before contesting the Cox Plate.
“He’s an extremely talented horse, a weight-for-age horse and I think that is going to count for a lot in a race like this,” Eustace said.
“There’s a lot of horses that scrape in and he’s the class horse of the race.”
Eustace said Smokin’ Romans enters the race as the forgotten horse following his seventh-place finish in the Caulfield Cup when sent out favourite.
He said Smokin’ Romans draw of 16 was not a complete disaster, adding it gives Jamie Kah options.
“He was stiff in the Caulfield Cup as he didn’t get the run he wanted,” Eustace said.
“It’s not perfect the draw and a lot will depend on how he breaks and what sort of position he can get.”
Grand Promenade returns for a second Cup assault having finished sixth to Verry Elleegant last year.
The stayer has been thwarted by wet tracks this preparation.
“From barrier one, it’s an interesting barrier for him and we’ve probably got to use that.,” Eustace said.
The final runner of the Maher and Eustace team is High Emocean a last start winner of the Bendigo Cup.
“She’s going as well as she can and she’s going to get a cosy run,” Eustace said.
“She loves wet ground and will stay two miles. She’s a top ten chance.
“If I was to ride in the race, I would want to be on Gold Trip and then Smokin’ Romans.”
