Leading Melbourne Cup Chance Ruled Out

Just Fine ruled out of the 2023 Melbourne Cup

Waterhouse and Bott have seen UK import Just Fine ruled out of the 2023 Melbourne Cup after he was sitting on the second line of betting for the race that stops a nation.

It’s a blow for the NSW stable with Just Fine hitting his stride this season and propelling himself up the Melbourne Cup betting. 

Just Fine had made a fast start to life in Australia since transferring from Sir Michael Stoutes stable in the UK, winning his last three starts including a win in the Group One Metropolitan Handicap at Randwick last time out. 

That win in the Metrop earned Just Fine a 0.5kg penalty in this years Melbourne Cup but it also took him to the top of the betting for the 3200m Handicap.

Just Fine most recently started as a $3.10 favourite for the Group One Might and Power Stakes on Saturday, however a poor run saw him finish in last place and ten lengths off the winner and stablemate Alligator Blood.

As a result of the poor run Just Fine was a notable omission from the second round of Melbourne Cup acceptances however there has been no official word as to what the reason is. 

After the second round of acceptances 51 runners have been left in contention for a start in the race that stops a nation on the first Tuesday of November.

The withdrawal of Just Fine leaves Irish raider Vauban as the soul market leader at $4.80 with last years winner Gold Trip on the second line of betting at $6 after his impressive Turnbull Stakes win. 

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