Racing: Jon Snow's Melbourne Cup hopes crash in Caulfield

Jon Snow will be back in NZ tomorrow. Photo / Darryl Sherer

Jon Snow's Melbourne spring campaign has come to an end after he tailed the field home in Saturday's Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m).

Nothing went to plan for the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained five-year-old and the decision has been made by his connections to bring him home.

"Bursting through the gates [before the start] didn't help," Forsman said. "Damian [Lane, jockey] said he came out of the gates the second time and felt like a bit of a stunned mullet.

"The plan was to work forward and he couldn't quite get there and was just planted three-wide without cover most of the way on a slow speed. Then they sprinted and he got left flat-footed. Nothing really worked out and at that level things really do have to go your way."

Forsman said Jon Snow has pulled up really well and is in top order, but a lack of options has put an end to his spring preparation.

"He's great, he looks outstanding," Forsman said. "That is the most disappointing thing, he's in such good order. He flies home [tonight], so he will be back in New Zealand on Thursday morning.

"There were just a lack of options for him here heading forward. In terms of weight-for-age, basically it was the Emirates (Gr.1, 2000m) on the last day of the carnival.

"That is going to be very competitive ... so that was always a hard race to wait around for."

Meanwhile, the Cambridge training duo still have Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) contender Zacada vying for a spot in the two-mile feature.

The Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m) runner-up will contest the Gr.3 Geelong Cup (2400m) today and Forsman is hoping for big things from the Zabeel six-year-old. "He's really good, he looks to be peaking at the right time."

- NZ Racing Desk