Cup hope Current Mirotic unplaced in Japan
Marialite has earned a Caulfield Cup berth with her upset win in the Takarazuka Kinen in which Tommy Berry’s potential Melbourne Cup mount Current Mirotic was unplaced.
Marialite made a late run and held off favourite Duramente by a neck in Sunday’s Group One race over 2200 metres.
Duramente slipped on the wet ground after the winning post and pulled up lame in his left foreleg with a stable representative saying he would not run in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe for which he was a 12-1 chance.
Last year’s unplaced Melbourne Cup favourite Fame Game was never in the hunt and finished last of the 17 runners.
Berry made the trip from Sydney to Japan to ride Current Mirotic who is the TAB’s $18 second favourite for the Melbourne Cup behind Irish horse Order Of St George at $10.
The win gives Marialite ballot exemption to the this year’s Caulfield Cup in October.