A Melbourne Cup start for one time favourite Puissance De Lune is looking doubtful after the grey pulled up lame after finishing twelfth Group 1 $3m Sportingbet Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley today.
A Melbourne Cup start for Puissance De Lune is up in the air. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
The Darren Weir trained Puissance De Lune was beaten ten and a half lengths by Cox Plate winner Shamus Award and was never in the race.
Pussiance De Lune is looking a doubtful starter in the Group 1 $6.2m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 5 but Weir won’t make a decision until he gets a chance to see how the six year old recovers in the next couple of days.
“He’s a bit sore, but not too bad,” Weir said.
“But I don’t if we’ll be pushing on. We will see.”
“We’ll see how the horse is tomorrow.”
Bookmakers have reacted quickly and have pushed Puissance De Lune’s Melbourne Cup price out to $26 after his dismal showing in the Cox Plate.
Cox Plate third placegetter Fiorente has cemented his place at the head of the Melbourne Cup betting and is now the clear cut $5 favourite with the English stayers Dandinio ($8) and Mount Athos ($10) the second and third fancies.
The Chris Waller trained Hawkpsur is next in the betting at $12 just in front of David Hayes’ import Jet Away ($13) who ran a mighty race to finish fourth in the Group 1 $2.5m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on October 19.
