Multi-millionaire owner John Singleton's Melbourne Cup dream has been dashed for another year, after his star mare Tuesday Joy suffered a bleeding attack in today's Turnbull Stakes at Flemington.
Tuesday Joy finished well beaten behind the winner, Littorio, and now incurs an automatic three month ban from racing.
The Gai Waterhouse-trained mare was one of the betting favourites for this year's Melbourne Cup after returning to racing in fine form this preparation, taking out the Group 2 Stocks Stakes at Mooney Valley at her second run from a spell before today's failure.
It's disappointing news also for top jockey Darren Beadman, who made the trip back to Australia from his Hong Kong base to partner the mare in today's feature.
Spring Carnival action
Turnbull Stakes
Champion Weekend Hussler stunned the big Flemington spring crowd today when he turned in the worst race of his career to miss a place in the Group One Turnbull Stakes.
Littorio, whose only previous win was in a two-year-old maiden at Sale on debut last year, lived up to his recent consistent form to claim the spoils.
The Nigel Blackiston-trained Littorio had finished third to Weekend Hussler in his two runs this campaign but turned the tables in emphatic fashion today with his stylish victory.
Jockey Steven King on Littorio tracked Weekend Hussler throughout the 2000m feature and had the seven-time Group One winner firmly in his sights as the field set sail for home.
But just when Weekend Hussler was expected to stride up to the leaders and figure in the finish, the Ross McDonald-trained superstar started to struggle.
Littorio raced to the lead and safely held off the late charges of runner-up Master O'Reilly and third placegetter Zipping who both rattled home from the rear of the field.
"Just unbelievable, hard to explain," Blackiston said.
"He's been racing super, just hasn't had the luck."
Weekend Hussler failed to fire a shot in the run home and finished eighth.
Epsom Handicap
Gai Waterhouse grabbed the quinella in the Group One Epsom Handicap at Randwick today when Theseo proved a touch too strong for stablemate Bank Robber.
The win was also a triumph for Hong Kong-based Zac Purton who rode Theseo perfectly, having him poised to strike in third place turning for home where Bank Robber had dashed to the front.
Bank Robber kicked away but Theseo, with Purton throwing everything at him, wore his stablemate down to score impressively with the consistent Gallant Tess running her usual honest race for third.
"It's good to win these races on these days," Purton said.
"He was never going to get beat in the last furlong (200m).
Waterhouse took the quinella in her stride.
"It's a bit of fun, isn't it?"
Metropolitan Handicap
Premier apprentice Peter Wells got the thrill of his racing career when he piloted the Paul Perry-trained Newport to success in the Group One Metropolitan Handicap at Randwick today.
Wells, who won last season's Sydney apprentices' premiership, had Newport midfield to the turn and saved ground on the inside in the straight to overhaul the Gai Waterhouse-trained Bianca who was being hailed the winner halfway down the running.
Newport, last year's Brisbane Cup winner over today's distance of 2400m, went to the line full of running to win convincingly from Bianca with Get Up Jude third.
"The boy just rode him superb," Perry said.
"Great effort, great ride."
Spring Champion Stakes
Peter Snowden trained his first Group One winner for Sheikh Mohammed's mammoth Darley operation when Sousa upstaged the favourite Predatory Pricer in the Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick today.
Sousa, given a heady ride by Corey Brown on the rain-affected track, settled sixth before making a lightning move to take the lead at the halfway mark of the 2000m feature and dashing well clear in the straight.
Predatory pricer battled on well for second but was no match for the winner with Victorian raider Excelltastic third.
"It's super mate, words can't explain," an emotional Snowden said.
"I'm so thrilled.
"He's a horse going places that's for sure."