Appleby and bin Suroor To Miss Melbourne Cup

Leading Godolphin trainers Charlie Appleby and Saeed bin Suroor will not be sending any horses over to Australia to race for the foreseeable future meaning they will have no entries in the Group One Melbourne Cup this term.

Due to the ongoing crisis in the world with the current Virus, especially over the last few days down under, the Godolphin team has made the decision to not rake the risk of taking any of there horses down under this season.

Racing Victoria confirmed on Tuesday that both Classic winning trainers, who have previously over the last few years been seen frequently bringing there horses over to race in the big Group Ones in Australia, will this season not be doing so.

Due to a change in restrictions to stage four in Melbourne amid the Covid-19 pandemic, it is a decision the handlers have made in the best interest of their staff and anyone involved with their operations.

Back in 2018 Appleby sent Cross Counter over to Melbourne for the Group One International contest and the Newmarket handler became the first British-trained winner of the Melbourne Cup.

Saeed bin Suroor doesn't have the best record down under but does enjoy sending his horses all the way across the world to race with one of his most familiar entries being Benbatl when he took on Winx in a memorable Cox Plate clash.

(Credit Racing Post) Racing Victoria general manager of international operations Paul Bloodworth said: "Both Saeed and Charlie have advised over the last few days that they won't be coming to Melbourne this year.

"Charlie Appleby advised last night that because of the change to stage four restrictions, he wasn't comfortable sending his staff to Melbourne and Saeed has also advised he won't be coming.

"It's a great shame. Saeed has been a regular in Australia for 30 years and Charlie certainly over the last five or six years so it's a shame they won't be able to compete."