Qewy Out of Melbourne Cup

Godophin's smart stayer Qewy (Ire) (Street Cry {Ire}) will not line up in Tuesday's G1 Emirates Melbourne Cup following his victory in Wednesday's G3 Bendigo Cup. Qewy won the G3 Geelong Cup last year en route to finishing fourth in the big race but his trainer Charlie Appleby feels the 7-year-old needs more time to recover from his exertions earlier this week. “He knows he's had a race, and I think the Cup will just come a bit soon for him,” Appleby said on Friday. “It's only six days between the two races. Hopefully we can consider another race for him in Melbourne this trip, provided he is back on top form.” Qewy's defection has paved the way for another British challenger Wall Of Fire (Ire) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) to take his chance for Hugo Palmer who has booked Craig Williams for the mount but Irish trainer Willie Mullins still faces an anxious wait over the potential participation of his Thomas Hobson (GB) (Halling). Although the gelding, for whom Joao Moreira has been booked to ride, is the final horse in the 24 runner field he could be leapfrogged by the winner of Saturday's G3 Lexus S. who will be exempt from ballot.