Speed Gifted ruled out of Melbourne Cup

European import Speed Gifted has been withdrawn from next week's $5 million Melbourne Cup, race organisers said yesterday. Trainer Lee Freedman had confirmed with stewards that the six-year-old would not enter, Racing Victoria said in a...

European import Speed Gifted has been withdrawn from next week's $5 million Melbourne Cup, race organisers said yesterday.

Trainer Lee Freedman had confirmed with stewards that the six-year-old would not enter, Racing Victoria said in a statement.

Freedman told Australian media that the former Luca Cumani-trained gelding was sore after running a disappointing 12th at Saturday's Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.

The British horse was showing signs of back and foot soreness following the race in Melbourne.

"His feet are very tender, he's jarred up all over and pulled a hamstring," Freedman told the Herald Sun newspaper.

Speed Gifted was rated a $15 chance at the Nov. 3 Melbourne Cup, a gruelling 3,200m handicap.

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