By Mike Dillon
Kayf Tara's shock withdrawal from Tuesday's $A3 million Melbourne Cup proves God must have been a bookmaker.
If he wasn't, you can bet the rent He must have wished He was.
Millions of dollars have fallen into bookmakers' bags when the highly talented Dubai-trained Kayf Tara, longtime 4-1 Cup favourite, had to be pulled out through injury yesterday morning.
Most bookmakers say they're going through relatively tough financial times. Kerry Packer and Crown Casino boss Lloyd Williams certainly touched them for $20 million-plus in the last two Melbourne Cups, but bookies are going to reflect on the 1999 running with fonder memories, regardless of what Packer and Williams back on Tuesday.
No one's talking dollars, but most bookies will tell you the scratching is their dream result.
"Let's say the cask wine we bought after last year's Cup has been thrown out," said Brian Taylor, manager for one of the leading bookies, Peter Coster.
"We can't deny it's a great result for bookies - a blessing really," said high profile bagman Michael Eskander.
Brian Taylor said Coster's biggest liability is still Sky Heights.
"The Sky Heights, CaulfieldMelbourne Cups double is still more money than what Sky Heights-Kayf Tara would have been, but only just."
Kayf Tara's owners, the powerful Godolphin operation, flew in their own vet on Tuesday night to inspect the ailing star and one look told him they were out of business.
"The injury is not career threatening," said travelling foreman Brad Marzato, " but no decision has been taken whether he will race on or be retired to stud."
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Tie The Knot became the 5-2 Melbourne Cup favourite yesterday with the defection of Kayf Tara.
5-2 Tie The Knot; 13-4 Sky Heights; 11-2 Laebeel; 10-1 Travelmate, Arena, The Hind; 16-1 Streak, Rogan Josh, Yavana's Pace; 20-1 Intergaze; 25-1 Central Park, Amerique; 33-1 Rebbor; 40-1 Lady Elsie, Able Master; 50-1 Figurehead, Bohemiath; 66-1 Maridpour, Seasquill, Zazabelle.
Other New Zealanders: $100-1 Second Coming; $125-1 Brew, $250-1 The Message, The Warrior.
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Sunline's slight reaction to the vaccine injection required for the Hong Kong Cup is delaying Trevor McKee's declaring his intentions for Saturday's $A500,000 Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington.
McKee said last night he will probably decide today whether the Cox Plate winner will back up for the start of the Melbourne Cup meeting.
Stephen McKee, who is looking after Sunline in Melbourne, said the mare is not off colour, simply picking at her feed, a natural reaction to the type of inoculation.
"The vet who injected her said nine out of 10 have a similar reaction. It only lasts a day or so."
Sunline will have an easy hitout at Flemington today after which a decision will be made whether to accept for the Mackinnon.
A call to go ahead with plans for the Hong Kong Cup on December 12 could be made at the same time.
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The next few days will determine whether class former Kiwi galloper El Duce can be saved.
The life of the Derby runner-up of last Boxing Day is in the balance after being badly galloped on during the $S1 million (NZ1.2 million) Singapore Gold Cup at the weekend.
"The tendon is so badly severed that there is no support at all for the fetlock joint and they don't know whether they can save him," said Ruakaka trainer Donna Logan, who part owns El Duce and travelled to Singapore to see the race.
Logan said El Duce was tracking the leader Just Call Me Sir on the home turn and was galloped on from behind when rider Catherine Treymane eased off the rail to work into the clear.
There had been extreme confidence by trainer Paddy Busuttin that El Duce would win the race and Logan said he looked poised to do that when he was injured.
Horse Racing: Defection blessing for bookies
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