Racing: Ruscello earns Cup berth

Kerrin McKevoy on Ruscello wins the Lexus Stakes yesterday. Photo / Getty Images

English horse Ruscello has ruined the Melbourne Cup dreams of several hopefuls with his all-the-way win in the Lexus Stakes at Flemington.

Trainer Ed Walker accepted a start in the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday after earlier saying Ruscello would probably not be asked to back up. His win has denied Let's Make Adeal of a Cup start by a short neck after he beat the grand-daughter of 1991 winner Let's Elope with Araldo another 1-1/2 lengths third.

Cox Plate winning jockey Chad Schofield picked up the ride on Ruscello, which has 50kg in the Cup.

Fourth-placed Ethiopia, which is already in the Cup field, pleased trainer Pat Carey with his effort and the intention is to press ahead.

English galloper Side Glance has caused a Mackinnon Stakes surprise, winning the $1 million weight-for-age race at Flemington.

Backing up after finishing unplaced in last week's Cox Plate, Side Glance made the running from the middle stages and held on bravely under jockey Jamie Spencer in Saturday's Group One.

Dear Demi turned in an eye-catching Melbourne Cup trial when she came from the back of the field to finish runner-up.

The John Singleton-owned mare has firmed from $23 to $16 for the Cup.

Moriarty also made late ground to take the minor placing.

Red Tracer has given Sydney trainer Chris Waller his second Derby day Group One win with a determined victory in the Myer Classic. But it took every bit of the long Flemington straight for Red Tracer to cut down her stablemate Catkins.

In an epic duel that Waller thought was going to end with a victory for Catkins, Red Tracer claimed the race with a late dive near the line for jockey Nash Rawiller.

"I thought Catkins had the upper hand, but to Red Tracer's credit she fought back," Waller said.

Waller had earlier trained glamour colt Zoustar to win the Coolmore Stud Stakes.

Lightly raced New Zealand filly Kirramosa raced into VRC Oaks favouritism with a last-to-first exhibition of staying power to win the Group Two Wakeful Stakes at Flemington.

With Tommy Berry riding, Kirramosa ($9.50) sat last in the 12-horse Wakeful field until around the 400m. But Berry timed his run perfectly down the outside, reeling in the leaders late to beat the favourite May's Dream ($2.25) by 1-1/4 lengths with Solicit ($7.50) a further half length away third.

- AAP