Racing: Final Cup run away from hype

As the whole of Australia sweats it out waiting to hear if Makybe Diva runs in Tuesday's A$5 million Melbourne Cup, it's business as usual for Xcellent.

Well, almost.

Trainer Mike Moroney made the decision to switch Xcellent's final important Cup lead-up gallop this morning from his home base at Flemington to Werribee's country track.

Moroney said the high profile New Zealander would do "significant" work.

"The reason I switched away from Flemington was that with the races there tomorrow, we were not going to be able to use the course proper for galloping.

"We were going to be restricted to the inside grass, plus rain is forecast for tonight. That whole scenario wasn't ideal."

As he prepares for another showdown with Australia's champion Makybe Diva, Xcellent has done nothing to suggest to his trainer that he is not a leading Melbourne Cup hope.

Bookmakers disagree - they have pushed Xcellent's Cup quote out to $25 and several smart punters rushed to grab the opportunity.

The biggest single bet laid yesterday by Doublebet, outside of doubles, was $50,000 to $2000 on Xcellent.

"Several of the smart bettors were happy to be on," said Brian Taylor.

Moroney is unconcerned about Xcellent's Cox Plate ninth last week in terms of his Melbourne Cup hopes.

"He took 48 hours to recover from that race, which is good for him, and he hasn't looked back since.

"He hasn't backed up before, but all the signs are good in that area."

Moroney is concentrating on tactics after the nightmare experience of seeing Xcellent charging up quickly in the Cox Plate and being a spent force even before Glen Boss made his move on Makybe Diva.

"Clearly he'll have to be ridden quietly this time," said Moroney.

Rider Michael Coleman flew to Melbourne yesterday and will be on Xcellent's back this morning.

Moroney took the opportunity to use Coleman for stable runner Deliver Us at Moonee Valley.

Almost all leading Melbourne jockeys refused to ride at the night meeting because of what they say is ridiculous planning to have a night meeting on the eve of one of Australia's biggest racedays, Derby Day at Flemington.

Glen Boss, Greg Childs, Steven King and Neil Callow all ridiculed the scheduling, which they claim would leave them no chance of being at their physical best for today.

Suspended Danny Nikolic said he also would not have ridden even if he'd been able to.

Huge bets have been aimed at the Gai Waterhouse-trained Mr Celebrity for the A$250,000 Saab Quality, a win in which would qualify the Sydney topliner for the Melbourne Cup.

Mr Celebrity was at $2.70 yesterday, despite a form background steeped in sprints and metric miles. The one race which showed he might handle today's 2500m was the Geelong Cup, in which he missed the start, raced up into a close fourth before being disqualified.

But it won't be easy for him. Classy former South Island mare Uprise showed trainer Lee Freedman she was close to a win when she stormed home into third in the 2000m Coongy Handicap.

The extra distance is exactly what she is looking for.

Back her each-way. If Mr Celebrity does prove a touch too good, you will get your money back on the place.

* Jockey Noel Callow is confident brilliant but sometimes erratic sprinter Falkirk can live up to his impressive last-start victory in the Gilgai Stakes when he tries for his first group one win in the Salinger Stakes today.

The 5-year-old Tale Of The Cat entire blew his rivals away in the group three Gilgai which is run over the same course as the Salinger.

"He went enormous in the Gilgai. He ran 1:7.96 and drops down 5.5 kilos in the Salinger," Callow said.

Falkirk's winning time in the October 1 sprint was only 0.8 seconds outside the Flemington 1200m course record held by Iglesia.

Now trained by Lee Freedman for whom he has had two starts, Falkirk was unbeaten in four starts in New Zealand including the group three Sunline Stakes (1200m) at Te Rapa in April 2004.