After the final day of the Melbourne Cup carnival we assess the horses you need to forgive, forget and to follow.
Forgive
Colette – James Cummings
8th of 10 in the 2000 metre Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (Flemington)
It was a rollercoaster campaign for the Godolphin mare who was originally on a Caulfield Cup path. She got the well deserved Group 1 in the Empire Rose but it looked like one run too many on Saturday where she was simply never in it. A post-race veterinary examination revealed that she was in fact lame off foreleg. She’s off for a well earned break now and her final run of the preparation is a clear forgive.
Pandora Blue – Kirsten Buchanan
9th of 10 in the 1300 metre Benchmark 72 Midway (Rosehill)
Came into Saturday looking for three wins on the trot but it wasn’t meant to be for the short priced favourite. She looked to slot in nicely with some cover but couldn’t go a yard in the straight and dropped out. The stewards report noted that a post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare to be slow to recover. Forgive.
Forget
Chaillot – Archie Alexander
7th of 12 in the 1400 metre Group 3 Chatham Stakes (Flemington)
After her huge first up win, a Spring Group 1 looked hers for the taking and she did run ok in the Cantala last week. However she had her chance on Saturday in the Group 3 and there were no issues listed in the stewards report. Time to forget this mare for a while.
Follow
Cascadian – James Cummings
2nd of 10 in the 2000 metre Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (Flemington)
He was known as a handicapper before Saturday winning the Doncaster Mile earlier this year. However, his run on Saturday proved he’s up to weight-for-age and looks his future as he will now be weighted out of handicaps. One to follow in the Autumn and a smoky in the race like the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
