Mourayan Back In Business After Shock Melbourne Cup Scratching

Mourayan will be having his first start since his shock withdrawal from last week’s Melbourne Cup in the $350,000 Zipping Classic at Sandown this Saturday.

The five-year-old was scratched from the race due to soreness in a toe due to corrective shoeing.

“It certainly didn’t thrill us up here, but these things happen,” owner Lloyd Williams said.

“He ran well on Derby Day in the Mackinnon and we thought he would run quite well in the Cup.”

Mourayan was well backed to produce a close finish in the $6 million Cup before his unfortunate scratching.

Williams is positive Mourayan is over his hoof injury and will be at his best ahead of Saturday’s race.

“I’m moderately confident he will run very well but Americain obviously is the one to beat,” Williams said.

“I think with average luck he probably should have won the Melbourne Cup (this year).

“He’s the benchmark and at the weights he is very well weighted, but I couldn’t be happier with our horse.

“(Mourayan) has had a week off and I think a little bit of a freshen up will probably suit him.”

Mourayan has performed consistently amongst top company this spring carnival, with his best performance being a win in the Listed The Bart Cummings Quality in October.

 

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