Melbourne Cup hope Unchain My Heart out of Lexus Stakes

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.

Unchain My Heart is a late withdrawal from the Lexus Stakes at Flemington. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

Unchain My Heart is a late withdrawal from the Lexus Stakes at Flemington. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

Green Moon was officially withdrawn this morning from the Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) to be run at Flemington next Tuesday because of cracked hoof, making way for Unchain  My Heart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.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.