The Lloyd and Nick Williams owned galloper Linton miss the Tuesday’s $6m Melbourne Cup (3200m) and has been has been scratched form tomorrow’s Group 1 $1m Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday.
The five-year-old grey who was 10th in the Melbourne Cup order of entry has missed vital work leading up to the Flemington Spring Racing Carnival leaving no time for a proper preparation.
Prior to last week’s Moonee Valley Cup, Linton stood on a nail when casting a plate and injury his off fore hoof.
While Linton will still run on Melbourne Cup day in the $150,00 Listed Johnnie Walker Stakes 1800m, his defection from the main event leaves Williams with five possible Melbourne Cup runners and opens the door for those horses still trying to make the 24 horses field.
The Gai Waterhouse trained Tullamore will now get to 24th in the Melbourne Cup order of entry and almost looks certain of gaining a Melbourne Cup start.
The Luca Cumani trained Sahara Sun who is one ahead in the order is not officially scratched but will be withdrawn according to the stable.
Tullamore will therefore move to 23 and even if the Lexus winner jumps him, he shouldstill start.
Under that scenario The Verminator who is one behind Tullamore in the Cup order is on knife’s edge bit is likely to sneak into the field.
