The Werribee mob did not run up to expectation with the four international raiders in the Melbourne Cup failing to finish in the placings.
The $4.40 Cup favourite Deauville Legend, who was easy in the market from an overnight quote of $3.60, was the best of those that flew in from the UK for Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup at Flemington, finishing fourth, five lengths from the winner Gold Trip,
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Hoo Ya Mal ($13) was next home in 12th position, just ahead of Without A Fight ($12) while Camorra ($41) was the last runner to officially cross the line.
James Ferguson, trainer of Deauville Legend, said the gelding had run a solid race.
“It would have been a different story if it (the track) wouldn’t have been so soft,” Ferguson said.
“He was given a beautiful ride but like I said, he just didn’t handle the ground.”
Hoo Ya Mal will remain in Australia with Waterhouse and Bott and be sent for a break.
Waterhouse said Hoo Ya Mal will be a more mature galloper when he returns to Flemington for next year’s Cup.
“He was in a vice and never saw daylight. His chances were gone long before the straight, but that’s racing,” Waterhouse said.
“He’ll have a break and be back again next year when he’s more mature.”
Ed Crisford said Without A Fight was not at home on the soft ground.
“He jumped well and got into a good position, but William (Buick) just said he hated the ground,” Crisford said.
“It is soft out there, it is softer than we expected it to be.
“He had a good trip, he just stopped quickly in that ground. He does need quick ground, his best form is in quick ground. He ran a good race, but he just stopped quickly.”
Ben Hayes, who trains Camorra in partnership with his brother J D, said the gelding would undergo a thorough veterinary examination.
Camorra, who remains in Australia, was tailed-off in the race after being beaten a long way from home.
“He’s pulled-up sound. We scoped him, he’s clean,” Hayes said.
“When they drop the bit like that, that far out, there’s something underlying.
“We’ll go right over him in the next 48 hours to see if there’s anything obvious, but at this stage it looks like he didn’t like the track.
“Ben Melham couldn’t give any excuses, so we’ll look to work it out over the next 48 hours.”