Jumps champion Black And Bent will not make the Melbourne Cup field

It was fun while it lasted but flat racer tuned jumper turned flat racer Black And Bent will officially not be a part of the 2011 Melbourne Cup field.

Connections acknowledged it was an unlikely dream when they first launched the audacious bid but they’ve now conceded he won’t be part of the action on the first Tuesday of November.

Black And Bent had two flat stars since returning from the hurdles, his first a 9th behind December Draw in the Naturalism Stakes, the second a 7th behind Mourayan in the Bart Cummings.

The horse was unlucky in both runs drawing wide alley’s and being forced to settle a long way back in the field.

He ran on late in both races but it wasn’t enough to make a dint on his high position in the Melbourne Cup order of entry.

Trainer Robert Smerdon confirmed today that it was back to the paddock for the six year old gelding.

“We have decided not to push on,” Smerdon said.

Now it will be back to the logs as he readies himself for a trip to Japan in June next year.

When he makes his return he’ll be defending a five race winning streak in jumps events.

His overall career record in jumping events is 10 wins and four placings from 16 starts making him the most famous jumps horse of the modern era in Australia.

Smerdon does still have one hope to be a part of this year’s Melbourne Cup, Shewan will run in the Herbert Power Stakes and the Moonee Valley Cup in a bid to earn his way in.