Tullamore will not run in the Mackinnon Stakes
The Gai Waterhouse trained Tullamore has been scratched from tomorrow’s $251,000 Group 3 Lexus Stakes(2500m) at Flemington.
The Caulfield Cup placegetter is being kept for Tuesday’s $6m Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) with the stable satisfied that he will gain a start.
Tullamore is officially 25th on the Melbourne Cup order of entry but the today’s defection of Linton from the Cup has promoted the five year old into the field.
More security of a start is helped with the strong indication by trainer Luca Cumani that Sahara Sun won’t run.
That horse is one in front of Tullamore in the Cup order.
There is also some doubt on Glass Harmonium (7th in order) with connections deciding on a Cup start after the Group 1 $1m Mackinnon Stakes (2000m).
Tullamore has traveled 10,700m in races leading up to the Melbourne Cup, more than enough to ensure fitness on the day.
Waterhouse raced the gelding on the past two Saturdays.
The bay ran third in the Caulfield Cup and second in the Moonee Valley Cup.
Waterhouse was tempted to run him again in order to make sure of a Cup start.
That fear has now passed and Waterhouse’s assistant Natasha Kent confirmed Tullamore will miss Derby Day.
