Spechenka is the first emergency for the Caulfield Cup
Queensland trainer Ben Ahrens took a philosophical view after Spechenka was demoted to first emergency for Saturday’s $2.5m Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m).
The Beaudesert trainer expressed disappointment but followed up with “who knows it may work out for the better.”
Spechenka had qualified equal 17th with Green Moon and Macedonian for the two positions that would certainly have given the six-year-old a chance.
Having won more money than the other two, Ahrens was hoping for the best but realised the task he faced.
“He is number 19 hey, that sounds about right,” Ahrens said.
“I’m not sure how they (racing officials) work it out but when you are up against Lloyd Williams and Peter Moody you are up for a fight.”
Williams, one of Australia’s biggest owners needed Green Moon in the field for representation after he withdrew At First Sight and Midas Touch from the Cup earlier in the day.
Moody, Victoria’s leading trainer for the past two seasons, trains Macedonian who will be his only Cup runner.
“The horse (Spechenka) is well and has recovered from a stone bruise,” he said.
“He worked this morning at Geelong on the course proper and is in fine nick.”
While Ahrens is still hoping for a Caulfield Cup start via a scratching, the Geelong Cup (2400m) on October 19 is penciled in as a back up.
“You never know, Geelong might be a blessing and we may still get into the Melbourne Cup,” he said
While the Melbourne weather has been wet today, the rest of the week is predicted to be sunny giving every chance the Cup will be run in dry conditions.
