Racing: Efficient again in danger of missing Cup

MELBOURNE - Melbourne Cup equal favourite Efficient is in danger of missing the race for the third time in four years because of an injury to his off-foreleg.

Two Racing Victoria (RVL) veterinarians, Dr Paul O'Callaghan and Dr Geoff Hazard, as well as equine specialist Dr Chris Whitton from Melbourne University examined Efficient and fellow Cup contenders Zipping and C'est La Guerre at Lloyd Williams' Macedon property yesterday.

Zipping and C'est La Guerre passed the inspection, while Efficient will be examined again before acceptances are taken tomorrow.

RVL said trainer John Sadler's stable had been managing an old injury which had been present for the past 12 to 18 months.

The stable reassured stewards it would not accept with Efficient for the Melbourne Cup if veterinary advice indicated it was not in the best interests of the horse to compete.

The Melbourne Cup merry-go-round is also spinning for some of the New Zealand contenders sweating on a place in the field for the great race.

While Daffodil and Harris Tweed are comfortably inside the 24-horse limit for next Tuesday, South Auckland galloper Spin Around sits right on the cusp at No 24.

He should make the field if, as normally happens, there are a few defections by the time the final field is declared. Mark Du Plessis is engaged for the ride.

Gallions Reach sits 25th in the order of entry. He ran fifth in Bendigo Cup on Wednesday, a much improved effort as he has been out of form.

Trainer Richard Yuill said owner David Archer was mulling over whether to accept for the final Cup declaration tomorrow night.

"The initial reaction was against it, but he has a few days to consider it."

Yuill said there would be other stakes races during the Melbourne carnival for Gallions Reach should they opt out.

Capecover, 27th on the list, was seventh in the Bendigo Cup, making up ground late in the 2200m.

"He needed at least 2400m and [jockey] Kerrin McEvoy was pleased with the run as a Cup trial," trainer Alexander Fieldes said.

"He reckoned he would finish in the top six in the Cup."

The owners, two of whom have travelled over from England, now have to decide whether to make the final Cup payment and hope that the attrition rate is sufficient for them to make the field.

Six O'Clock News and Hoorang sit at 32nd and 33rd in the order and would have to win the Lexus on Saturday to win the right to start in the Cup.

- AAP, NZPA