Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor is between a rock and a hard place in his bid to get all his Melbourne Cup entries into the final field next Tuesday.
Only one of the three Godolphin stayers bin Suroor is preparing for the Melbourne Cup is assured of a start with Sky Hunter safely in the top 24.
Sky Hunter is 17th on the latest order of entry with stablemates Secret Number 27th and the unqualified Elhaame equal 37th.
There is no need for Sky Hunter, to be ridden by top UK jockey William Buick, to race at Flemington on Saturday and he will reserve his energies for Tuesday.
However bin Suroor has no alternatives with Elhaame who must race and win the G2 Lexus Stakes (2500m) on Saturday to earn an automatic berth in the final field when it is declared on Saturday night.
Secret Number was also entered for the Lexus but bin Suroor had decided to roll the dice with his Melbourne Cup chances and gamble on a Saturday attrition rate to elevate him into the final field without having to race.
Secret Number could be another place worse off on the order of entry as the winner of the Lexus is exempt from the Melbourne Cup ballot if nominated.
The VRC committee still retains the right to exercise their discretionary powers to determine the final field, but a rule change in 2010 means they can only elevate horses into the final 24 above other acceptors according to the ballot order.
Heading into Saturday, the Chris Waller-trained Beaten Up is holding down the final place in the top 24 with Sertorius (25th) and Moonee Valley Cup winner The United States (26th) next on the order of entry and holding priority over Secret Number.
If Secret Number misses out he will saved for the G2 Queens’s Plate (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday week.
Elhaame will compete with nine other Melbourne Cup entries bidding for ballot exemption in the Lexus.
It will be a first for bin Suroor as he has never started any of his previous Melbourne Cup runners on Derby Day since his first assault in 1998.
He has been on a quest to win the race ever since. After 21 beaten starters including three second placings the Melbourne Cup remains his Holy Grail.
Ironically a win in the Lexus by Elhaame will make it harder for Secret Number to make the final field. The small bonus for Secret Number is there are no remaining Melbourne Cup entries among the acceptors for Saturday’s LKS Mackinnon Stakes, the other race on Saturday’s program that gives the ballot exemption.
Bin Suroor began planning this year’s assault in January and knew he was running the qualification gauntlet when he selected Sky Hunter, Secret Number and Elhaame as his three to travel to Melbourne.
“We never do this, but we have to try,’’ said bin Suroor of his situation.
“I have thought about them as Melbourne Cup horses since January. All three are in good form and are ready to go. I like them all.’’
“Elhaame is a much better horse than when he was in England, physically, the way he looks and the way he trains.”
Elhaame, a six-year-old with six wins from 20 starts including three from five outings this year, has impressed the observers at Werribee with his appearance and workouts. A win on Saturday will see him rocket up the betting order as he has only 50kg and cannot be penalised.
Godolphin also have Hartnell, trained by John O’Shea and seventh on the order of entry, assured of a Cup start next Tuesday.
