Melbourne Cup 2018 news: Williams-owned Latrobe out of Cup
JOSEPH O’Brien-trained Latrobe has been withdrawn from the 2018 Melbourne Cup.
Owner Lloyd Williams declared that the 3200m trip was “a year too early” for the three-year-old on Melbourne radio station RSN before stating that the Group 1 Emirates Stakes was the next race the Irish import will confront.
Latrobe was sixth on the order of entry for the 2018 Melbourne Cup.
Despite the withdrawal of Latrobe Williams still takes a strong hand into the Cup with race favourite Yucatan ($5.50 at Neds) and Caulfield Cup place-getter The Cliffsofmohor ($16) among the owner’s chief chances.
WATCH BELOW: Latrobe wins the Group 1 Irish Derby
Bowman booked for Marmelo ride
Champion jockey Hugh Bowman has elected to take the ride on British import Marmelo in the 2018 Melbourne Cup.
Marmelo – which jumped as a $7 joint favourite at online bookmaker Sportsbet in 2017 – finished ninth in last year’s Cup.
Bowman, who rode the horse in last year’s race, said the Brit feels “stronger” than he did in 2017 following a track ride with fellow Melbourne Cup runner Magic Circle.
“It’s great to see him back and he looks very well,” Bowman said.
“I feel he’s a little bit stronger than last year.
“He didn’t go out to do a great deal this morning, but it was good to work with some company. Both horses might have actually benefitted by having a mate.
“We went to the line with plenty in hand and he seems to have travelled over well and he feels good.”
Marmelo is a $18 chance to win the 2018 Melbourne Cup.