Shock as Marmelo ruled out of Cup

The shroud of secrecy surrounding Melbourne Cup raider Il Paradiso has finally been removed.

Il Paradiso has a gallop at Werribee Racecourse. Picture: Getty Images

Last year’s Melbourne Cup runner-up Marmelo has been sensationally scratched from next Tuesdsay’s race after scans revealed fractures in two legs.

Stewards issued a release on Wednesday night saying Marmelo and fellow international raider Ispolini had been withdrawn from the $8 million race due to veterinary advice.

“Marmelo was referred to the University of Melbourne Equine Clinic to undergo a standing CT scan across the weekend after showing signs of soreness upon inspection by RV veterinarians,” said Racing Victoria stewards in a statement.

“The results of the standing CT scan indicated an incomplete fracture in the horse’s near fore cannon bone and an incomplete fracture in its off hind cannon bone.”

The CT scan on the Charlie Appleby-trained Ispolini indicated pre-fracture pathology within the horse’s right front cannon bone.

The decision was a shock to Marmelo’s connections with trainer Hughie Morrison on Tuesday confident his horse would take its place in the field.

Marmelo’s withdrawal leaves star jockey Hugh Bowman without a ride in the Melbourne Cup.

Marmelo, who won the Prix Kergolay in August to confirm his third trip to Australia, finished second in the 2018 Cup to the Appleby-trained Cross Counter who has returned to defend his title.

Ispolini was a recent winner of the German St Leger.

While Marmelo’s fate was a shock the shroud of secrecy was removed from another foreign raider and his name became the words on most lips – Il Paradiso.

The son of Galileo – well scouted by visiting media from the UK who have infiltrated Werribee this week – was no longer “that chestnut over there”. His identity and the merit of his form were finally disclosed.

The Racing Post’s Lee Mottershead described the recent fifth to Logician in the English St Leger at Doncaster as “a fair enough run”.

Il Paradiso’s proper form was two runs ago, when third in the Lonsdale Cup to Stradivarius, the best stayer in the past three seasons. In a field of four, Il Paradiso was in front narrowly with 400m to run, second with 200m to go and was just pipped into third in the shadows of the post by Dee Ex Bee.

That sort of form will see him competitive next Tuesday. Maybe that has inspired the $18 taken with betting agencies. Now the best quote on offer is $13.

Il Paradiso may be the most interesting of trainer Aiden O’Brien’s horses from County Tipperary, but Hunting Horn’s win in the Moonee Valley Cup said loads about that horse, who has gallivanted around the world this past year.

O’Brien also has Magic Wand, who finished on the heels of the placegetters in the Cox Plate, well astern of Lys Gracieux.

The Chris Waller-trained Brimham Rocks fell agonisingly short of a chance at securing a Melbourne Cup start with a narrow defeat in the Bendigo Cup.

Ridden by leading Perth jockey William Pike, Top Of The Range ($8) denied Brimham Rocks ($6) by a long head in the 2400m race on Wednesday.