Waterhouse-Bott runner Just Fine ruled out of 2023 Melbourne Cup

In a surprising twist in the lead up to the Group 1 Melbourne Cup, the stayer Just Fine, trained by the acclaimed duo Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, has been pulled out of this year’s race.

Fresh from a striking three-win streak in Australia, which was highlighted by a dominant run in the Metropolitan, Just Fine’s Melbourne Cup prospects looked promising.

Many horse racing betting sites had already placed Just Fine as the second favourite for the coveted Melbourne Cup.

However, a recent stumble in form was evident when, as the $3.10 favourite with online bookmakers, Just Fine trailed a staggering 10 lengths behind the victor, Alligator Blood, also from the Waterhouse and Bott camp, in the Group 1 Might And Power Stakes.

While the racing world expected Just Fine to be among the names for the Melbourne Cup, he was conspicuously absent in the second round of acceptances. But all hope isn’t lost for the Waterhouse and Bott team as they still have five contenders in the race for the esteemed title.

Vauban is a $4.60 favourite to win the Melbourne Cup, ahead of defending champion Gold Trip ($6) with Soulcombe ($8) the only other runner with single figure odds.

The anticipation builds as the third acceptances for the Melbourne Cup 2023 are set to be unveiled on October 30. The question on everyone’s mind: Who will emerge as the frontrunner? Only time will tell.