Racing Victoria Stewards agreed to a request from trainer David Hayes to withdraw Unchain My Heart from the Group 3 $300,000 Lexus Stakes (2500m) at Flemington after the mare moved up one in the order of entry for the Melbourne Cup following the withdrawal of Green Moon.
Green Moon was officially withdrawn this morning from the Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) to be run at Flemington next Tuesday because of cracked hoof, making way for Unchain My Heart to creep up to number twenty-three in the order of entry.
Hayes was very reluctant to run Unchain My Heart today and on Tuesday if she happened to win the Lexus Stakes and approached stewards to see if he could withdraw the proven stayer from today’s contest.
The David Hayes trained stayer is s till a chance of missing out on a run in the ‘Race That Stops The Nation’ if the winner of the Lexus Stakes is in the list of second acceptors for the Melbourne Cup and the Robert Hickmott trained English import Amralah can finish in the first three of the Group 1 $1m Longines Mackinnon Stakes (2000m).
The Lexus Stakes field has now been reduced to ten runners following the earlier scratching of the English stayer Lord Van Percy and the Ciaron Maher trained Marksmanship because of leg problems.
The late withdrawal of Unchain My Heart, who was one of the outsiders of the field, hasn’t affected the market order for the Lexus Stakes
The Darren Weir trained Signoff remains the short priced favourite at $2.50 with Ladbrokes.com.au with La Amistad at $6.50 if front of Big Memory at $7, Caravan Rolls On at $8 and Let’s Make Adeal at $9.