Herbert Power Stakes runner up Big Memory has been scratched from the Group 1 $3m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on Saturday giving second emergency Vengeur Masque a spot in the final eighteen horse field.
Big Memory, above, has been scratched from the 2016 Caulfield Cup at Caulfield. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
Trainer Tony McEvoy had to withdraw Big Memory on Friday morning after he discovered inflammation in one of the stayer’s hocks paving the way for Mike Moroney’s French import to sneak in the field.
The scratching of Big Memory followed the withdrawal yesterday of Kiwi mare Fanatic because of a suspected spider bite allowing first emergency De Little Engine to take his place in the field.
Patrick Moloney has been booked to ride the lightweight Vengeur Masque who will now jump from barrier sixteen with only 50.5kg on his back.
The market order for the Caulfield Cup at Ladbrokes.com.au was barely affected when Big Memory, a $71 chance, came out with the Ciaron Maher trained Jameka still at the top of the betting at $3.60 while Vengeur Masque is the $201 outsider of the field.
Vengeur Masque is the winner of two races from six starts in France and had been placed once from three starts for Moroney since arriving in Australia.
The Monsun five year old first hit out in Australia resulted in a fifth in aa 1800m BnchMark 78 Handicap at Sandown on August 24 followed by a second over 2200m in the BenchMark 84 Handicap on the synthetic track at Pakenham on September 18.
At his latest start Vengeur Masque ran fourth to Almandin in the Group 3 $300,000 The Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington on October 2.
Crown Oaks winner Jameka sits at the top of the Caulfield Cup market order at $3.60 at Ladbrokes.com.au ahead of English stayer Scottish and the Darren Weir trained Real Love at $7.50 and German stayer Articus at $9.50.
Market order for the Caulfield Cup at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3.60 Jameka, $7.50 Scottish, Real Love, $9.50 Articus, $12 Exospheric, Sir Isaac Newton, $16 Sir John Hawkwood, Tally, Sacred Master, $26 Preferment, Our Ivanhowe, $31 Tarzino, $41 Set Square, $51 Pemberley, De Little Engine, $61 Almoonqith, $81 Go Dreaming, $201 Vengeur Masque.
